Doctors warn: a significant part of the population of Ukraine lives in conditions of natural iodine deficiency, and this directly affects the functioning of the thyroid gland, energy metabolism and even cognitive development of children. Studies show that most Ukrainians receive only about 40–80 micrograms of iodine per day with food, with a recommended requirement of 150–200 micrograms for adults, and more than 60% of the population lives in regions with insufficient iodine content in the environment.
Ukraine is a classic iodine-deficient region: there is little iodine in the soil and water, and accordingly, there is very little of it in local food products. This means that even people who eat “correctly” may not get enough iodine, simply because the product from the Ukrainian field or farm itself is poorer in this microelement. That is why endocrinologists do not talk about individual exceptions, but about a systemic problem.
Why it's important. Iodine is a key element for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. These hormones control metabolism, energy levels, temperature sensitivity, and brain function. The Ministry of Health emphasizes that iodine deficiency is especially dangerous for pregnant women and children: a deficiency can affect the development of the fetal brain and the child's nervous system, increase the risk of growth retardation and cognitive impairment in the future.
How iodine deficiency manifests itself in an adult. Doctors pay attention to the same set of complaints: chronic fatigue and drowsiness, a feeling of slowness, “fog in the head”, problems with concentration, dry skin, brittle hair and nails, a constant feeling of cold, swelling, a tendency to gain weight without obvious changes in diet. The thyroid gland (goiter) often enlarges, as the body’s attempt to “squeeze the most” out of its meager iodine reserves.
The health consequences go beyond cosmetics and fatigue. Long-term iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland works slowly and produces too few hormones. In severe cases, it has been linked to a risk of intellectual disability in children, and persistent weakness, high cholesterol, and problems with thermoregulation in adults.
What can be done now?
The first and easiest thing is to switch to iodized salt in your daily diet. Mass iodization of salt is considered the basic prevention in countries with iodine deficiency. According to experts, if iodized salt is systematically used for cooking, the daily iodine intake of an adult approaches the recommended level.
The second is to add foods that naturally contain more iodine: sea fish (salmon, cod, flounder, tuna), seafood, seaweed, dairy products, eggs. This way, the body receives the microelement not in the form of pills, but through the diet.
Third, do not self-medicate. Iodine is not a “mood vitamin,” and an excess is just as harmful as a deficiency. Potassium iodide preparations (iodide tablets) are used under the supervision of an endocrinologist, especially if there are already nodules or other changes in the thyroid gland. The Ministry of Health recommends regular preventive examinations of the thyroid gland and monitoring its condition, in particular for people with a family history of thyroid diseases, pregnant women, and women planning a pregnancy.
The main message from doctors is simple: constant fatigue, weight gain “out of nowhere,” dry skin, and problems with concentration are not always “autumn and stress.” In Ukrainian realities, this is often a marker of endocrine iodine deficiency. And the sooner it is checked, the less likely long-term complications for metabolism, the heart, and the brain are.
