Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — iodine deficiency prevention

Nearly 2 billion people worldwide are iodine deficient — and many don't know it. Discover why iodine is critical for thyroid health, who is most at risk, and how a simple at-home urine test can reveal your levels.

Most people associate iodine exclusively with thyroid health — but this essential mineral plays a far broader role in the body. From breast tissue and ovarian function to fetal brain development and endometrial health, iodine is active in virtually every organ system. Deficiency is more widespread than commonly recognised, and standard thyroid blood tests cannot reliably detect it. This guide explores the extrathyroidal roles of iodine, the difference between iodide and molecular iodine, the controversy around dosing, and why testing urinary iodine is the most accurate way to assess your status.