Revisionist History Way to Go, Ohio
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Jun 30, 2022 
Michael Zimmerman, an expert on goiters and thyroid diseases, shares fascinating insights about iodine deficiency and its impact on public health. The discussion revisits a pioneering experiment in Akron, Ohio, where a condiment played a crucial role in curing goiters. They explore the cultural implications and historical significance of iodine fortification, while also humorously contemplating integrating vaccines into salt to reduce hesitancy. The episode artfully blends science and societal perceptions, highlighting a unique chapter in health innovation.
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Goiter Tourism
- 19th-century tourists visited the Swiss Alps to witness goiters and cretinism.
- Mark Twain famously quipped, "I've seen the two things I wanted to see in Switzerland, Mount Blanc and the goiter, and now I'm going home."
Iodine Deficiency and Location
- Goiters and cretinism weren't universal; they were linked to iodine deficiency.
- Coastal regions had natural iodine from seawater, while inland, glacier-carved areas lacked it.
The Goiter Belt
- The US Army's "Defects Found in Drafted Men" revealed a "goiter belt" in the upper Midwest during WWI.
- In Houghton County, Michigan, a third of draftees had enlarged thyroids, some so severe they were rejected.