Iodine in pregnancy

Why it matters, when it matters most, and where it comes from.

Iodine is called out in 13 of the 42 pregnancy weeks we publish. This page gathers what those weeks say, and links to the full guide with daily amounts.

Requirements differ by country and by person. The guide names the authority behind every figure, and your own doctor or dietitian may advise something different for you.

Why iodine matters in pregnancy

Reasons the week-by-week guidance gives: fetal brain + thyroid development.

The weeks that call for iodine

Common questions

Why does iodine matter in pregnancy?

fetal brain + thyroid development.

Which foods provide iodine?

Iodized salt. Being a good source does not by itself make a food right for pregnancy — check food safety too.

What are the signs of low iodine?

Goiter. These have many other causes and several are common in pregnancy anyway, so they are a reason to ask for a blood test rather than to self-diagnose.

Show the evidence

Sources: ACOG, WHO, NHS; NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; ICMR-NIN.

This page gathers and links what the individual week and nutrient pages already publish — it introduces no figure they do not carry, and each one names its own source.

How we source and check every figure on this site

Educational reference, not medical advice. Pregnancies and the care offered around them differ; follow the team looking after you.