India, July 20 -- Thyroid-related problems are increasingly common. According to a 2020 study, the number of affected individuals is stated to be around 200 million worldwide. The conditions are several, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, goitre and more. Iodine plays a crucial role in thyroid health. But both deficiency and excess can throw the hormone production off balance and result in health complications.

Dr Shehla Shaikh, consultant endocrinologist at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, shared in an interview with HT Lifestyle how iodine acts as an indispensable micronutrient for the production of thyroid hormones.

Given how a deficiency in iodine results in hypothyroidism, which is when the thyroid gland isn't as active and doesn't...