Iodine Deficiency: The Silent Threat To Women’s Health, Pregnancy And The Future Of Our Children

By Dr Benjamin Oluwatosin Eno-Obong Olowojebutu
Women’s Health Advocate | Founder, Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation (BOF)

A Small Nutrient, A Lifetime of Consequences

In our communities, we often discuss maternal mortality, uterine fibroids, infertility, hypertension, diabetes and other conditions affecting women’s health. Yet, one important public health concern continues to receive insufficient attention: iodine deficiency.

Iodine is a micronutrient required by the body in very small quantities, but its importance to human health is enormous.

It is essential for producing thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, support growth and are critical to the development of the brain and nervous system.

For women, particularly those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, iodine is not merely a dietary requirement. It is an essential component of maternal health, healthy pregnancy and early childhood development.

A mother may appear healthy while consuming insufficient iodine to meet the increased demands of pregnancy.

Why Iodine Is Particularly Important for Women

The thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped organ situated in the neck, depends on iodine to produce the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

Prolonged iodine deficiency can contribute to thyroid enlargement, commonly known as goitre, and hypothyroidism.

Women with hypothyroidism may experience fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, menstrual irregularities and difficulties with fertility.

Iodine Deficiency During Pregnancy: A Threat to Two Generations

Pregnancy significantly increases the body’s requirement for iodine.

In early pregnancy, the fetus depends heavily on maternal thyroid hormones before its own thyroid gland becomes fully functional.

Severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy can result in serious consequences, including:

– Maternal hypothyroidism and thyroid enlargement.

– Increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.

– Impaired fetal brain development.

– Permanent intellectual and neurological disabilities in severe cases.

– Problems with growth and developmental outcomes in affected children.

The consequences of severe iodine deficiency can begin before a child is born, and some neurological damage may be irreversible.

The Connection Between Iodine Deficiency and Goitre

However, iodine deficiency is only one possible cause of goitre.

Not every goitre requires surgery. Treatment depends on the cause, thyroid function, size, symptoms and findings from clinical assessment and imaging.

A woman with neck swelling should undergo proper medical evaluation rather than relying on herbal preparations or unprescribed iodine supplements.

Women experiencing difficulty breathing or rapidly worsening neck swelling require urgent medical attention.

Iodine Deficiency and Reproductive Health

When iodine deficiency causes hypothyroidism, women may experience menstrual disturbances, irregular ovulation and reduced fertility.

Not every woman struggling to conceive has an iodine problem, and iodine supplementation is not a universal treatment for infertility.

How Much Iodine Do Women Need?

Category| Recommended daily iodine intake

Adult women| 150 micrograms

Pregnant women| 220 micrograms

Breastfeeding mothers| 290 micrograms

These values represent total daily iodine intake from food and supplements, not additional supplement doses.

Preventing Iodine Deficiency: What Every Woman Should Know

Use iodised salt

Choose properly packaged, clearly labelled iodised salt for household cooking. Use it in moderation: preventing iodine deficiency does not require increasing overall salt consumption.

Eat iodine-containing foods

Fish, seafood, eggs and dairy products can contribute to iodine intake.

Discuss iodine during antenatal care

Women planning pregnancy or already pregnant should review their nutritional intake and prenatal supplements with a healthcare professional.

Excessive iodine can also cause thyroid dysfunction. Women should avoid high-dose iodine preparations, kelp supplements and unprescribed thyroid remedies.

Nigeria Must Strengthen Iodine Deficiency Prevention

Nigeria has made important progress in salt iodisation, but continued public health education, surveillance and quality assurance remain essential.

The Role of the Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation

At the Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation, our commitment to women’s health must extend beyond treating established diseases to preventing avoidable illness.

Prevention must become as important as treatment, and education must become as accessible as healthcare itself.

My Message to Every Woman and Expectant Mother

Dear woman,

Your health matters.

Your thyroid health matters.

Your nutrition matters.

Do not ignore persistent swelling in your neck.

Do not assume that every prenatal supplement contains iodine.

Ask questions during your antenatal visits. Eat a balanced diet. Use adequately iodised salt in recommended amounts. Seek professional advice when necessary.

Protecting Mothers, Protecting Generations

The fight against iodine deficiency is not merely a fight against goitre.

It is a fight to protect maternal health, promote healthy pregnancies, prevent avoidable neurological disabilities and improve the developmental potential of future generations.

As a surgeon and women’s health advocate, I believe our healthcare system must increasingly prioritise prevention, early diagnosis, public education and affordable access to care.

Because every woman deserves good health, every pregnancy deserves proper care, and every child deserves the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.

Love is the EXPRESSION of the ASSIGNMENT.

Dr Benjamin Oluwatosin Eno-Obong Olowojebutu
Surgeon | Women’s Health Advocate
Founder, Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation (BOF)
…Touching Lives Everywhere.