Iodine in biology damage). In areas where there is little iodine in the diet, typically remote inland areas and semi-arid equatorial climates where no marine foods are eaten, iodine deficiency also gives rise to hypothyroidism, the most serious symptoms of which are epidemic goitre (swelling of the thyroid gland), extreme fatigue, mental slowing, depression, weight gain, and low basal body temperatures. The addition of iodine to table salt (so-called iodized salt) has largely eliminated the most severe consequences of iodine deficiency in wealthier nations, but deficiency remains a serious public health problem in the developing world. Iodine deficiency is also a problem in
Lugol's iodine 126.5 mg/mL. The 15% solution thus has a total iodine content of 6.32 mg per drop of 0.05 mL; the 2% solution has 0.84 mg total iodine content per drop. Potassium iodide renders the elementary iodine soluble in water through the formation of the triiodide () ion. It is not to be confused with tincture of iodine solutions, which consist of elemental iodine, and iodide salts dissolved in water and alcohol. Lugol's solution contains no alcohol. Other names for Lugol's solution are (iodine-potassium iodide); Markodine, Strong solution (Systemic); and Aqueous Iodine Solution BP. In the United Kingdom the NHS pays