A joint study between Launceston-based University of Tasmania Professor Ian Hay and Menzies Institute for Medical Research researchers Kristen Hynes and John Burgess is one of the world's first longitudinal studies examining the link between iodine deficiency and education outcomes.

The result of the research was presented last week by Professor Hay at the World Education Forum Tasmania meeting.

Professor Hay, who has a background in children's cognitive development, said the study focused on a key cohort of students who were born in 2000.

The study, which was conducted over the next eight years, periodically reviewed the education outcomes of the student cohort and compared to the control group.

"What we found is some areas of academic achievement is impacted by iodine deficiencies, particularly in relation to NAPLAN," he said. 

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Professor Hay said spelling and reading were two of the main areas affected by iodine deficiency but maths didn't seem to be as affected by the deficiency.

Tasmania has had a long history of iodine deficiency because of the nature of the state's soil, however, Professor Hay said the results of the research showed adverse education outcomes for education even for mild iodine deficiency.

"What is unique about this study is the longitude nature of it, but it also seems to fit well with other global studies that have reported similar findings," he said.

"However, the impacts of severe iodine deficiency has been documented, our research shows even mild deficiency can have an impact."

Professor Hay said the study was also unique because it presented findings on two fronts - medical and educational.

He said more education was needed among Tasmanians to ensure iodine was a key ingredient of their diets.

"I think there is a common misconception that the issue with iodine has been 'fixed' but it hasn't been."

Women, in particular, were more likely to ditch iodine-fortified foods such as salt, fish or dairy products because of their health implications.

"Young women often move towards using rock salt because they think it's more healthy, stop eating dairy because it's fattening or avoid fish because of perceived contamination risk," Professor Hay said.

He said while there was a lot of discourse around obesity and what is needed for a healthy diet but "other messages like the one around iodine" is being lost in the noise.

Professor Hay said more education was needed for young women of childbearing age or entering that age, to ensure iodine was a key part of their diet.

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