Iodine Status in the Colombian Population and the Impact of Universal Salt Iodization: A Double-Edged Sword?

Table 2

Epidemiological criteria for the evaluation of iodine nutrition in a population, based on the mean urinary iodine levels, on the range of urinary iodine concentration, or both.

Iodine in women and children
Intake amount (µg/L)	Intake status	Nutritional contribution
Pregnant women
<150	Insufficient	N/A
150–249	Adequate	N/A
250–499	More than adequate	N/A
≥500	Excess	N/A
Lactating mothers
<100	Insufficient	N/A
≥100 µg/L	Adequate	N/A
Children <2 years of age
<100	Insufficient	—
≥100	Adequate	—
School-age children
<20	Insufficient	Severe iodine deficiency
20–49	Insufficient	Moderate iodine deficiency
50–99	Insufficient	Mild iodine deficiency
100–199	Adequate	Optimal
200–299	More than adequate	Risk of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism in susceptible populations
>300	Excess	Risk of detrimental health consequences (hyperthyroidism, iodine-induced autoimmune thyroid disease)

N/A: no information available from the evaluation table of the United Nations for the nutritional contribution of iodine in pregnant and lactating women. Exceeding the amount required to prevent and control an iodine deficit. Levels of mean urinary iodine are lower than the iodine requirements due to iodine excretion in breast milk.