Archive · 20 Sep 2026
India's Salt Iodisation Cuts Goitre, But Autoimmunity Rises
Goitre happens when the thyroid gland in the neck becomes too large.
It can happen when people do not get enough iodine.
India began adding iodine to salt several decades ago to prevent this problem.
A new study found that far fewer Indian children now have goitre.
However, more children showed signs that their immune systems may be attacking the thyroid.
The study suggests that too much iodine might be one possible cause, but it does not prove this.
Other factors, such as environmental exposures, could also matter.
Researchers say India should keep iodising salt while carefully monitoring iodine levels and children’s thyroid health.
A nationwide study found goitre among Indian schoolchildren fell to 10.3%, from 23.5% in 2003.
Researchers screened 8,903 children aged 10 to 18 across eight Indian regions between January 2024 and December 2025.
More than 90% of households reported using iodised salt, and median urinary iodine indicated sufficient population-level intake.
Subclinical hypothyroidism affected 13% of children, while 10.4% tested positive for anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies.
Researchers recommend continuing salt iodisation with stronger quality controls and regular surveys to monitor thyroid autoimmunity.
- Who
- Researchers studied 8,903 Indian children aged 10 to 18; Dr Raman Kumar Marwaha was one of the study authors.
- What
- The study assessed iodine nutrition, goitre, thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity among schoolchildren.
- When
- Children were screened between January 2024 and December 2025; the findings were published recently.
- Where
- The research covered eight regions of India.
- Why
- The study examined the long-term effects of India's salt-iodisation programme and assessed current thyroid health.
Continue and strengthen iodisation
Investigate iodine levels and other causes
Future of the programme
Continue and strengthen iodisation
Researchers say salt iodisation should continue because it has reduced goitre and helps prevent serious iodine-deficiency effects, particularly in children and during pregnancy.
Investigate iodine levels and other causes
The programme should be closely monitored and periodically recalibrated because iodine levels can vary among manufacturers, households and storage conditions.
Cause of rising autoimmunity
Continue and strengthen iodisation
Excess iodine is presented as one possible mechanism for subclinical hypothyroidism and increased thyroid autoimmunity.
Investigate iodine levels and other causes
The study does not establish that excess iodine caused the rise; pesticides and other environmental exposures may also contribute.
Meaning of antibody results
Continue and strengthen iodisation
The antibody findings indicate a notable thyroid-health trend requiring attention, especially because girls and children with goitre were more likely to test positive.
Investigate iodine levels and other causes
The long-term consequences remain uncertain because the cross-sectional study cannot show whether antibody-positive children will develop permanent thyroid disease.
- Goitre prevalence
- 10.3% in the latest survey, compared with 23.5% in 2003 and 17.6% in 2012.
- Study sample
- 8,903 children aged 10 to 18.
- Study period
- January 2024 to December 2025.
- Iodine sufficiency
- Median urinary iodine concentration was 133.2 micrograms per litre.
- Household salt use
- More than 90% of households reported using iodised salt.
- Thyroid autoimmunity
- Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were detected in 10.4% of children.
- Subclinical hypothyroidism
- Found in 13% of children.
- Regional variation
- Goitre prevalence ranged from 7.3% in Pune to 12.8% in Pondicherry.