Which symptoms can result from mild iodine deficiency?

Mild iodine deficiency often manifests as very mild hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces an insufficient amount of thyroid hormones.1

Symptoms associated with this mild form of hypothyroidism include:

• Dry skin1
• Hair loss1
• A puffy face1
• Weakness1
• Weight increase1
• Fatigue1
• Mental sluggishness1

Additionally, the body may attempt to compensate for low hormone production by increasing thyrotropin secretion, which can stimulate the growth of thyroid cells and lead to the development of a goitre, or an enlargement of the thyroid gland. While these symptoms are characteristic of mild deficiency, it is important to note that even minor degrees of hypothyroidism in very young infants can lead to intellectual disability.1