Vegetarians and vegans have a higher risk of iodine deficiency than people who had a mixed diet that includes meat. Urine analysis of study participants showed an iodine excretion of 172 microg/l in vegetarians (n=31) and 78 microg/l in vegans (n=15) compared to 216 microg/l in subjects on a mixed diet (n=35). Only 9% of those on a mixed diet were reported to have iodine deficiency (iodine excretion value below 100 microg/l) compared to 25% and 80% of vegetarians and vegans, respectively. (15)
Iodine requirements for vegetarians: Iodine recommendations may be found at: Nutritive Value of Foods, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Home and Garden Bulletin Number 72. May be accessed at (38): http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/HG72/hg72_2002.pdf and http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=22769