Lack of iodine is often related to which disease?

Lack of iodine is closely associated with goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. Iodine is an essential nutrient required for the production of thyroid hormones, which regulate various metabolic processes in the body. When there is insufficient iodine in the diet, the thyroid cannot produce enough hormones, leading to overstimulation and consequent enlargement of the gland, resulting in a goiter.

While hypothyroidism can also occur due to iodine deficiency, goiter specifically signifies the physical manifestation of this deficiency. Anemia and scurvy are unrelated to iodine intake; anemia is often linked to deficiencies in iron or vitamins, while scurvy results from a lack of vitamin C. Therefore, goiter is the most direct and recognizable disease associated with iodine deficiency.