Epidemiological Studies on Endemic Goiter and Associated Iodine Deficiency Disorders in West Tripura

Iodine is a rarer chemical element found in water, soil end plants. Man need iodine to make thyroid hormones, essential for normal development of the brain and maintenance of body heat and energy. In iodine deficient environment, the people do not have enough iodine for thyroid hormone synthesis and the deficiency of iodine causes several important health consequences. The major consequences are goiter (enlargement of thyroid gland than normal), weakness and paralysis of muscles, mental defect, deaf-mutism, still birth and miscarriages; as well as lesser degree of physical and mental function Iodine deficiency also affects the socio-economic development of a community.