Neck Swelling
Neck swelling is the most common sign of an iodine deficiency. Also known as a goiter, this growth tends to appear in the front of your neck due to a bigger thyroid gland. This is a butter-shaped organ in the neck that produces thyroid hormones. When levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH increases in the body, thyroid hormones are generated from iodine in this hormone. When you do not consume enough iodine, the gland has to work harder to compensate, which leads to the growth and multiplying of cells causing a goiter. [4]
