Case of Hypothyroidism Due to Iodine Deficiency:
Iodine deficiency is a common cause of hypothyroidism in third world countries in malnourished populations. Its rare in the US but has been reported. In this case was published in Nov2022, and it involved an adolescent with mild autism spectrum who had an extremely restricted diet. He had an enlarged gland or goiter and had negative thyroid antibodies. Testing revealed his body was iodine deficient. His goiter and thyroid abnormalities resolved with iodine supplementation.
Risk factors for iodine deficiency:
Picky eater/food aversion
Mulitple food allergies
Vegan Diet
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Common sources of iodine:
Milk
Bread
Iodinized salt
Seafood
Recommended Dietary Reference Intakes (The Harriet Lane Handbook, 20th ed.)
| Iodine mcg/d | Selenium mcg/d | |
| 0-6 mo | 110 | 15 |
| 7-12 mo | 130 | 20 |
| 1-3 yr | 90 | 20 |
| 4-8 yr | 90 | 30 |
| 9-13 yr | 120 | 40 |
| 14 yr and up | 150 | 55 |
Moore CE, Sasidharan Pillai S, Austin J, Fredette ME, Serrano-Gonzalez M. Severe Hypothyroidism and Large Goiter due to Iodine Deficiency in an Adolescent Male in the United States: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Case Rep Endocrinol. 2022 Nov 2;2022:7235102. doi: 10.1155/2022/7235102. PMID: 36387937; PMCID: PMC9646315.