Abstract
Iodine, as a component of the thyroid hormones, is required for brain and neurological development; its deficiency during pregnancy and early life is associated with poorer cognitive function in the offspring1. This has implications at both the individual level (e.g. lower IQ1), and at the country level (e.g. economic potential2). Iodine deficiency affects many pregnant women in Europe3 and although this is a public-health concern, there is a lack of consistency across countries both in the supply of iodine (e.g. iodised salt programs) and the monitoring of population iodine status