The Australian Thyroid Foundation has called on pharmacists to help address iodine deficiency in the latest of a series of health campaigns aimed at raising awareness of iodine supplementation.
The call coincides with the beginning of Thyroid Awareness Week and follows a National Health and Medical Research Council recommendation earlier this year that women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or considering pregnancy should take daily iodine supplements.
The foundation has sent out information packs to pharmacies around Australia to help them discuss the importance of adequate iodine intake, including supplementation, with their pregnant and breastfeeding customers.
“As a primary point of care in the community, pharmacies play an important role in educating women around Australia about achieving good thyroid health by taking iodine supplements and consuming foods that are naturally rich in iodine, to reduce the risk of mental deficiency in developing infants,” said ATF president Beverley Garside.
According to the foundation, more than 50 per cent of Australian women and children are iodine deficient.
“Iodine plays a critical role in the neuropsychological development of the foetus and in the first two years of life,” said Professor Creswell Eastman, an international expert on iodine deficiency and the Australian Thyroid Foundation’s principal medical advisor.
“Pregnant and breastfeeding women cannot possibly get the recommended daily intake of iodine from food alone, so it is essential that they take a supplement during this time,” said Professor Eastman.
Experts recommend the average Australian child needs 120 micrograms of iodine per day for effective brain development and function, whilst adults require 150 micrograms per day.
For pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers, this requirement increases to 250 micrograms per day.
Prof Eastman said compulsory iodine fortification in bread that came in last year was “totally inadequate” for pregnant women.