E01: Iodine-deficiency-related thyroid disorders and allied conditions

E01.2: Iodine-deficiency-related (endemic) goitre, unspecified

The thyroid is a small organ at the bottom of the neck. The thyroid gland needs iodine to produce important messenger substances for the body. These messenger substances influence the heartbeat, digestion, and body temperature, among other things.

One may lack iodine when there is too little iodine in one’s diet. When there is a lack of iodine, the thyroid gland produces fewer messenger substances than usual. More thyroid gland tissue then grows in order to compensate. This makes the thyroid gland larger.

You can possibly feel, or even see, an enlarged thyroid gland. A seriously enlarged thyroid gland can cause problems with swallowing or breathing.