Iodine Deficiency In Population Research Articles

Does Iodine Intake Modify the Effect of Maternal Dysglycemia on Birth Weight in Mild-to-Moderate Iodine-Deficient Populations? A Mother-Newborn Prospective Cohort Study.

It is unclear how maternal glycemic status and maternal iodine status influence birth weight among individuals with mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency (ID). We studied the association between birth weight and both maternal glucose levels and iodine intake among pregnant women with mild-to-moderate ID. Glucose values were assessed using a glucose challenge test (GCT) and non-fasting glucose levels that were determined before delivery; individuals' iodine statuses were assessed using an iodine food frequency questionnaire; and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) were used to assess each group's iodine status. Thyroid antibodies and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were measured. Obstetric and anthropometric data were also collected. Large-for-gestational age (LGA) status was predicted using a Cox proportional hazards model with multiple confounders. Tg > 13 g/L was independently associated with LGA (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.4-10.2, p = 0.001). Estimated iodine intake correlated with FT4 among participants who reported consuming iodine-containing supplements (ICS) after adjusting for confounders (β = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.0002-0.0008, p = 0.001). Newborn weight percentiles were inversely correlated with maternal FT4 values (β = -0.2 95% CI:-0.08--56.49, p = 0.049). We conclude that in mild-to-moderate ID regions, insufficient maternal iodine status may increase LGA risk. Iodine status and ICS intake may modify the effect that maternal dysglycemia has on offspring weight.

Iodine Availability through Iodized Salt in Portugal: 2010-2021 Sales Evolution and Distribution.

Salt iodization programs are considered the most cost-effective measures to ensure adequate iodine intake in iodine-deficient populations. Portuguese women of childbearing age and pregnant women were reported to be iodine-deficient, which led the health authorities, in 2013, to issue a recommendation for iodine supplementation during preconception, pregnancy and lactation. In the same year, iodized salt became mandatory in school canteens. Of note, no regulation or specific programs targeting the general population, or the impact of iodized salt availability in retailers, are known. The present study analyzed iodized salt supermarket sales from 2010 to 2021 from a major retailer, identifying the proportion of iodized salt in total salt sales and its distribution in mainland Portugal. Data on iodine content were collected through the nutritional label information. Of a total of 33 salt products identified, 3 were iodized (9%). From 2010 to 2021, the weighted sales of iodized salt presented a growing tendency, reaching the maximum of 10.9% of total sales (coarse plus fine salt) in 2021. Iodized salt reached a maximum of 11.6% of total coarse salt in 2021, a maximum of 2.4% of the total fine salt in 2018. The overall sales of iodized salt and their contribution to iodine intake are extremely low, prompting additional studies to understand the consumer's choice and awareness of the benefits of iodized salt.

Indeterminate thyroid cytology in an iodine-deficient population: Prevalence, operation rate, risk of malignancy anddiagnostic value of thyroid scintigraphy and 18F-FDG PET imaging parameters.

Patients with indeterminate thyroid cytology often have a diagnostic hemithyroidectomy. The role of molecular imaging, particularly fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET), is controversial, and demographic variations in tumor prevalence and histology influence test performance and clinical utility. We retrospectively assessed the prevalence of indeterminate thyroid cytology and the malignancy rate in patients from an iodine deficient area, and evaluated the diagnostic value of preoperative thyroid scintigraphy and 18F-FDG PET/CT among operated patients. From 2006-2018, all patients with indeterminate thyroid cytology from the North Denmark region were included in the study (population 600,000).Clinical data, including operation rate, preoperative molecular imaging, and histopathological diagnosis, were retrieved. The results from preoperative thyroid scintigraphy and 18F-FDG PET/CT-scanning were compared to the final histopathological diagnosis. Four hundred and thirty-three patients were found with indeterminate thyroid cytology.The main registered reasons for conducting a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) were "cold nodule", goiter or a palpable nodule (n=312). In 40 patients (9%), FNAB was registered as conducted due to a PET incidentaloma. Four hundred and two patients (93%) underwent diagnostic lobectomy, and this population formed the study population for the following explorative study: One-hundred and two patients (25%) had a malignant diagnosis. In 226 (56%) and 51 (25%) patients, respectively, preoperative thyroid scintigraphy and 18F-FDG PET/computed tomography (CT) was performed. Among patients with a final malignant disease who had a thyroid scintigraphy (40 patients), a cold nodule was seen in 90% of cases; one (atypical) patient presented a warm nodule. Among patients with a final malignant disease 16 patients (16%) had a 18F-FDG PET (incl. 3 missing PET scans). Among the 51 patients with preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT, no difference in the PET-derived parameters was found between benign (n=33) and malignant tumors (n=13). The prevalence of malignancy (25%) was comparable with that in other studies. In patients with a preoperative thyroid scintigraphy, 90% of malignant cases had a cold nodule on scintigraphy. In patients with a preoperative PET/CT-scanning presenting focal 18F-FDG-uptake, PET-derived parameters had no diagnostic value. However, the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG-avidity vs. non-avidity needs to be addressed prospectively.

Mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency and symptoms of emotional distress and depression in pregnancy and six months postpartum – Results from a large pregnancy cohort

BackgroundThe relationship between iodine intake and depression is unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether iodine intake was associated with symptoms of perinatal emotional distress and depression in a mild- to moderately iodine deficient population. MethodsThe study population comprised 67,812 women with 77,927 pregnancies participating in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study. Self-reported emotional distress and depressive symptoms were reported in pregnancy and at six months postpartum. Iodine intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire in mid-pregnancy. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was available for 2792 pregnancies. ResultsThe median iodine intake from food was 121 μg/day and the median UIC was 68 μg/L. The prevalence of high scores for emotional distress was 6.6 % in pregnancy and 5.8 % six months postpartum, and for high scores on postpartum depression it was 10.3 %. In non-users of iodine supplements (63 %), a low maternal iodine intake from food (lower than ~100–150 μg/day) was associated with increased risk of high scores of emotional distress and depression both in pregnancy and six months postpartum (p < 0.001). Iodine supplement use was associated with increased risk of high scores of emotional distress in pregnancy compared to no supplement use or use of supplements without iodine. LimitationsObservational design, self-report information, and short scales to assess symptoms of emotional distress and depression. ConclusionA low habitual iodine intake was associated with increased prevalence of perinatal emotional distress and depression. The potential non-beneficial effect of iodine supplements may have biological explanations. More studies are needed.

Iodine and thyroid status during pregnancy and risk of stillbirth: A population-based nested case-control study.

Prior research suggests that severe iodine deficiency in pregnancy may be associated with stillbirth. However, the relationship between mild to moderate iodine insufficiency, which is prevalent even in developed countries, and risk of stillbirth is unclear. We thus examined associations of iodine status and risk of stillbirth in a prospective population‐based nested case–control study in Finland, a mild to moderately iodine insufficient population. Stillbirth cases (n = 199) and unaffected controls (n = 249) were randomly selected from among all singleton births in Finland from 2012 to 2013. Serum samples were collected between 10 and 14 weeks gestation and analysed for iodide, thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for stillbirth were estimated using logistic regression. After adjusting for maternal age, prepregnancy body mass index, socio‐economic status and other factors, neither high nor low serum iodide was associated with risk of stillbirth (Q1 vs. Q2–Q3 OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.78–1.09; Q4 vs. Q2–Q3 OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.45–1.33). Tg and TSH were also not associated with risk of stillbirth in adjusted models. Maternal iodine status was not associated with stillbirth risk in this mildly to moderately iodine‐deficient population. Tg and TSH, which reflect functional iodine status, were also not associated with stillbirth risk. The lack of associations observed between serum iodide, TSH and Tg and risk of stillbirth is reassuring, given that iodine deficiency in pregnancy is prevalent in developed countries.

Maternal Iodine Supplementation During Lactation May Improve Child's Cognitive Development at 3 Years of Age in a Mild-to-Moderately Iodine-Deficient Population

Maternal Iodine Supplementation During Lactation May Improve Child's Cognitive Development at 3 Years of Age in a Mild-to-Moderately Iodine-Deficient Population

Association Between Newborn Thyroid-Stimulating-Hormone Concentration and Neurodevelopment and Growth: a Systematic Review.

Iodine nutrition during pregnancy can affect newborn thyroid-stimulating-hormone concentration (TSH). Associations of newborn TSH with the neurodevelopment and growth of children are inconsistent. The aim of the study was to systematically review the literature on the associations between newborn TSH and childhood neurodevelopment and growth. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, WHO, and Iodine Global Network were searched for eligible studies. Seventeen studies were included. Neurodevelopment was assessed using different tools in children aged 1-12 years of age. The associations between newborn TSH and cognitive development were negative in studies from iodine deficient populations, while a nullassociation was found in studies from iodine sufficient populations. A nullassociation between TSH and psychomotor development was observed regardless of iodine status of the study populations. There was no evidence of an association between newborn TSH and child anthropometry, but evidence of negative association was found between newborn TSH and birthweight. Although the associations between newborn TSH and neurodevelopment may differ based on the iodine status of populations, most of the included studies did not adjust for the key confounders and had a small sample size. Quality data-linkage studies that utilize newborn TSH data from newborn screening with adequate adjustment for potential confounders are warranted to better understand the relationship between newborn TSH and neurodevelopment and growth in children. CRD42020152878.

Familial Aggregation of Endemic Congenital Hypothyroidism Syndrome in Congo (DR): Historical Data.

Familial aggregation of endemic congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in an iodine-deficient population from northern Congo (Democratic Republic (DR)) was analysed on data collected four decades ago (1979–1980). During a systematic survey of 62 families, 46 endemic CH subjects (44 myxedematous and 2 neurological) were identified based on clinical evidence within a village cohort of 468 subjects. A distribution analysis showed that two families presented significant excess of cases versus a random background distribution. Both families were characterised by two healthy parents having all of their five offspring affected by some form of endemic CH. Goitre prevalence in endemic CH was lower than that in the general population, while goitre prevalence in the unaffected part of the cohort (parents and siblings) was similar to that of the general population. Some unidentified genetic/epigenetic factor(s) could contribute to the evolution of some iodine-deficient hypothyroid neonates through irreversible and progressive loss of thyroid functional capacity during early childhood (<5 years old). Besides severe iodine deficiency, environmental exposure to thiocyanate overload and selenium deficiency, factors not randomly distributed within families and population, intervened in the full expression of endemic CH. Further exploration in the field will remain open, as iodine deficiency in Congo (DR) was eliminated in the 1990s.

Effects of an Iodine-Containing Prenatal Multiple Micronutrient on Maternal and Infant Iodine Status and Thyroid Function: A Randomized Trial in The Gambia.

Background: Iodine supplementation is recommended to pregnant women in iodine-deficient populations, but the impact in moderate iodine deficiency is uncertain. We assessed the effect of an iodine-containing prenatal multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplement in a rural Gambian population at risk of moderate iodine deficiency.Materials and Methods: This study uses data and samples collected as a part of the randomized controlled trial Early Nutrition and Immune Development (ENID; ISRCTN49285450) conducted in Keneba, The Gambia. Pregnant women (<20 weeks gestation) were randomized to either a daily supplement of MMNs containing 300 μg of iodine or an iron and folic acid (FeFol) supplement. Randomization was double blinded (participants and investigators). The coprimary outcomes were maternal urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and serum thyroglobulin (Tg), assessed at baseline and at 30 weeks' gestation. Secondary outcomes were maternal serum thyrotropin (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4) (assessed at baseline and at 30 weeks' gestation), breast milk iodine concentration (BMIC) (assessed at 8, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum), infant serum Tg (assessed at birth [cord], 12, and 24 weeks postpartum), and serum TSH (assessed at birth [cord]). The effect of supplementation was evaluated using mixed effects models.Results: A total of 875 pregnant women were enrolled between April 2010 and February 2015. In this secondary analysis, we included women from the MMN (n = 219) and FeFol (n = 219) arm of the ENID trial. At baseline, median (interquartile range or IQR) maternal UIC and Tg was 51 μg/L (33–82) and 22 μg/L (12–39), respectively, indicating moderate iodine deficiency. Maternal MMN supplement increased maternal UIC (p < 0.001), decreased maternal Tg (p < 0.001), and cord blood Tg (p < 0.001) compared with FeFol. Maternal thyroid function tests (TSH, TT3, TT4, and TT3/TT4 ratio) and BMIC did not differ according to maternal supplement group over the course of the study. Median (IQR) BMIC, maternal UIC, and infant Tg in the MMN group were 51 μg/L (35–72), 39 μg/L (25–64), and 87 μg/L (59–127), respectively, at 12 weeks postpartum, and did not differ between supplement groups.Conclusions: Supplementing moderately iodine-deficient women during pregnancy improved maternal iodine status and reduced Tg concentration. However, the effects were not attained postpartum and maternal and infant iodine nutrition remained inadequate during the first six months after birth. Consideration should be given to ensuring adequate maternal status through pregnancy and lactation in populations with moderate deficiency.

Development of Gestational Age-Specific Thyroid Function Test Reference Intervals in Four Analytic Platforms Through Multilevel Modeling.

Background: A population-based reference interval (RI) of thyroid hormones in pregnancy using a standardized methodology is crucial for clinicians to make accurate diagnoses and important for the comparison of test results obtained from different analytic platforms. Methods: We enrolled 600 healthy Chinese women to obtain longitudinal serum samples across gestation, after exclusion of subjects with antibodies to thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin or thyrotropin receptor. Gestational age-specific RIs were constructed by using polynomial regression equations with MLwiN. Results: Free thyroxine (fT4) levels rose to a peak at the 7th-8th gestational weeks and then declined gradually till 28th week, while thyrotropin (TSH) level decreased from early pregnancy to a nadir at the 9th week. The data support the recent notion by the American Thyroid Association to raise the TSH upper RI to 4.0 mIU/L. We also demonstrate that thyroid hormone reference ranges are not affected in a mildly iodine-deficient population and by including women with the presence of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin who are otherwise healthy. Conclusions: The study highlights a methodology in constructing gestational age-specific thyroid function test RIs on different analytic platforms to provide a better interpretation and comparison of results obtained across different platforms.

PDB51 PREVENTION AS A PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURE: LONG-TERM EFFECTIVENESS AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF A POPULATION-BASED IODINE DEFICIENCY DISEASES PREVENTION PROGRAM

Iodine deficiency can lead to different diseases, such as goiter, stillbirth and mental impairment of newborns. A population-based prevention program may eliminate iodine deficiency, but might also come with harms, such as increasing the prevalence of hyperthyroidism. We aimed to evaluate the cost effectiveness of a population based prevention program for iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). We developed a state-transition open cohort model to project the health and economic consequences of an IDD prevention program (i.e., iodine fortification of salt) in a hypothetical population with moderate iodine deficiency in the German context. Model parameters were derived by literature reviews, experts’ estimations or model calibration methods. Direct medical and non-medical costs were included (Euro 2018). Costs were derived from different sources: German DRG System, official medical fees, and Lauer Taxe. Indirect costs were considered in an additional analysis. We compared incremental life years (LY), incremental quality-adjusted life years (QALY), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) of prevention and no prevention. Health effects and costs were discounted at 3% annually. Model validation was performed. We analyzed three different scenarios: (1) open cohort over a time horizon of 120 years; (2) newborn cohort over their lifetime; (3) current live population over their lifetime, without consideration of new births. Additionally, we performed multiple one-way sensitivity analyses. In all three scenarios, the prevention was dominant compared to no prevention. Increments in quality-adjusted life expectancy ranged from 0.04 to 0.16 QALYs per person (0 to 0.01 LYs). For the currently live population in Germany (82,792,351), 0.04 QALYS amount to 3,311,694 QALYs gained. Cost savings ranged from EUR 522 to 14,624 per person. The prevention program remained dominant in most of the sensitivity analyses. Prevention of IDDs with iodine fortification of salt could be a cost-effective public health intervention for a moderately iodine deficient population.

Agreement between markers of population iodine status in classifying iodine status of populations: a systematic review

Population iodine deficiency is indicated by >3% of the population with newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration >5 mIU/L, median urinary iodine concentration (MUIC) <100 µg/L, or >5% prevalence of goiter in school-age children. However, the agreement between these population markers has not been systematically investigated. To assess the agreement between TSH, MUIC, and goiter as markers of population iodine status. We performed a systematic search for studies published on PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, and PsycINFO up to 29 October, 2018. Studies assessing iodine status in the population using the TSH marker and either MUIC or goiter prevalence in school-age children were included. The agreement between markers in classifying iodine status of the population was assessed. The sensitivity and specificity of the TSH marker was determined against MUIC and goiter prevalence as the reference markers. Of 17,435 records identified by the search strategy, 57 eligible studies were included in the review. The agreement between markers in classifying the iodine status of populations into the same category was 65% for TSH and MUIC, and 83% for TSH and goiter prevalence. The TSH marker had a sensitivity of 0.75 and specificity of 0.53 when compared with MUIC, and 0.86 and 0.50 when compared with goiter prevalence. The TSH marker has a better agreement with goiter prevalence than MUIC when classifying the iodine status of populations. Re-evaluation of the current criteria for classifying the iodine status of populations using the TSH marker is warranted. This systematic review was registered at PROSPERO (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/) as CRD42018091247.

The joint role of thyroid function and iodine concentration on gestational diabetes risk in a population-based study.

Iodine is essential for thyroid function, and iodine deficiency during pregnancy is common in Europe and the USA. However, no published studies have examined the role of iodine deficiency in the relation between thyroid function and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We conducted a population-based, nested case-control study within the Finnish Maternity Cohort using pregnancy and perinatal outcome data from the Finnish Maternal Birth Register. We randomly selected 224 GDM cases with singleton pregnancies and 224 controls without GDM from all singleton births occurring in Finland during 2012-2013. Blood was drawn at 10-14weeks' gestation and analyzed for serum iodide, thyroglobulin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of GDM. Very high thyroglobulin concentration (>95% percentile; >83μg/L) was not associated with significantly altered odds of GDM compared to those with normal levels (OR 0.41; 95% CI: 0.12, 1.38). High concentrations of TSH were also not associated with increased odds of GDM compared to normal levels of TSH (OR 0.45; 95% CI: 0.06, 3.18). Women in the lowest 5th percentile (<1.58ng/mL) of iodine did not have increased odds of GDM compared to those with iodide in the highest quartile (OR 0.39; 95% CI: 0.11, 1.35). Low levels of iodide and thyroid function in early pregnancy are not associated with increased risk of GDM in this mildly iodine-deficient population.

The effect of iodine deficiency during pregnancy on child development.

It is well known that severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy may cause impaired brain development in the child, with effects on cognitive and motor function, hearing and speech. Whether mild-to-moderate deficiency also affects neurological development is less well known, but in the past decade a number of observational studies have been conducted to answer this question and these studies are reviewed in this article. The picture is now emerging that even mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency during pregnancy may be associated with subtle impairments in cognition and school performance, although the evidence from randomised controlled trials is still lacking. As global efforts to eradicate iodine deficiency in populations continue, it is more likely that mild-to-moderate, rather than severe, iodine deficiency will be the issue of concern in pregnancy, and therefore further research in regions of mild-to-moderate deficiency is required to strengthen the research base and to inform public-health policy.

Iodine Intake is Associated with Thyroid Function in Mild to Moderately Iodine Deficient Pregnant Women.

Background: Studies indicate that mild to moderate iodine deficiency in pregnancy may have a long-term negative impact on child neurodevelopment. These effects are likely mediated via changes in maternal thyroid function, since iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. However, the impact of iodine availability on thyroid function during pregnancy and on thyroid function reference ranges are understudied. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between iodine intake and thyroid function during pregnancy.Design: In a population-based pregnancy cohort including 2910 pregnant women participating in The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study, we explored cross sectional associations of maternal iodine intake measured (1) by a food frequency questionnaire and (2) as iodine concentration in a spot urine sample, with plasma thyroid hormones and antibodies.Results: Biological samples were collected in mean gestational week 18.5 (standard deviation 1.3) and diet was assessed in gestational week 22. Median iodine intake from food was 121 μg/day (interquartile range 90, 160), and 40% reported use of iodine-containing supplements in pregnancy. Median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 59 μg/L among those who did not use supplements and 98 μg/L in the women reporting current use at the time of sampling, indicating mild to moderate iodine deficiency in both groups. Iodine intake as measured by the food frequency questionnaire was not associated with the outcome measures, while UIC was inversely associated with FT3 (p = 0.002) and FT4 (p < 0.001). Introduction of an iodine-containing supplement after gestational week 12 was associated with indications of lower thyroid hormone production (lower FT4, p = 0.027, and nonsignificantly lower FT3, p = 0.17). The 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of TSH, FT4, and FT3 were not significantly different by groups defined by calculated iodine intake or by UIC.Conclusion: The results indicate that mild to moderate iodine deficiency affect thyroid function in pregnancy. However, the differences were small, suggesting that normal reference ranges can be determined based on data also from mildly iodine deficient populations, but this needs to be further studied. Introducing an iodine-containing supplement might temporarily inhibit thyroid hormone production and/or release.

The prevalence of endemic goiter and iodine deficiency in the population of boys aged 11–13 years in different ecogeographical regions of the Republic Of Dagestan

Purpose. Conducting a comparative analysis and assessment of the dynamics of endemic goiter and iodine deficiency in the population of boys of the Republic of Dagestan at the age of 11–13 years for the period 2002–2013, living in different ecological and geographical zones.Patients and methods. 3457 adolescent boys 11–13 years old, living in different ecological and geographical zones, were surveyed. Methods of investigation were: determination of daily excretion of iodine in urine, palpation and ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland.Results. It was revealed that during the period of preventive measures there was an improvement in iodine supply regardless of the area of residence. However, against the background of preventive measures in the lowland zone, iodine deficiency decreased not evenly, and in some cases the aggravation occured.Conclusion. The incidence of endemic goiter and the severity of iodine deficiency in boys aged 11–13 years in the mountain and foothill ecology and geographical zones of the Republic of Dagestan are generally comparable to those of iodine deficiency and endemic goiter in the general population of the Republic of Dagestan. On a flat ecogeographical zone, endemic goiter in boys 11-13 years is less common than in the general population in this region. Preventive measures to combat iodine deficiency have led to a decrease in the frequency of endemic goiter, but constant monitoring is required. As a result, there was no correlation between the incidence of endemic goiter and the severity of iodine deficiency.

The Frequency of Focal Thyroid Incidental Findings and Risk of Malignancy Detected by 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in an Iodine Deficient Population.

Incidental focal uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in the thyroid on positron emission tomography (PET/CT) is rare but often associated with malignancy. The epidemiology of thyroid incidentalomas has only to some extent been described in countries with iodine deficiency. Here we report data from Denmark, a country with known iodine deficiency and wide access to PET/CT. All FDG PET/CT comprising the head and neck region, during 2014, were retrospectively reviewed, and patients with focal FDG uptake in the thyroid gland were identified. A total of 2451 patients had an FDG PET/CT of which 59 (2.4%) patients presented with FDG-avid focal lesions in the thyroid gland. Among the 59 patients with FDG-avid lesions, 33 patients (56%) received work up with ultrasound, thyroid technetium scintigraphy, fine needle aspiration, and/or histology of which 20 patients had a conclusive pathology report. Ten patients with FDG-avid lesions were identified with thyroid malignancy. The risk of thyroid malignancy was 16.9% among patient with incidental FDG-avid thyroid lesions. Our findings indicated a similar frequency of FDG thyroid incidentalomas and malignancy rates in an iodine deficient population compared to summary data from prior studies, studies mostly performed in geographical areas of normal or excess iodine supplementation.

Ultrasound criteria for risk stratification of thyroid nodules in the previously iodine deficient area of Austria - a single centre, retrospective analysis

BackgroundWe aimed to study the validity of six published ultrasound criteria for risk stratification of thyroid nodules in the former severely iodine deficient population of Austria.MethodsRetrospective, single centre, observer blinded study design. All patients with a history of thyroidectomy due to nodules seen in the centre between 2004 and 2014 with preoperative in-house sonography and documented postoperative histology were analyzed (n = 195). A board of five experienced thyroidologists evaluated the images of 45 papillary carcinomas, 8 follicular carcinomas, and 142 benign nodules regarding the following criteria: mild hypoechogenicity, marked hypoechogenicity, microlobulated or irregular margins, microcalcifications, taller than wide shape, missing thin halo.ResultsAll criteria but mild hypoechogenicity were significantly more frequent in thyroid cancer than in benign nodules. The number of positive criteria was significantly higher in cancer (2.79 ± 1.35) than in benign nodules (1.73 ± 1.18; p < 0.001). Thus, with a cut-off of two or more positive criteria, a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 45% were reached to predict malignancy in this sample of thyroid nodules. As expected, the findings were even more pronounced in papillary cancer only (2.98 ± 1.32 vs. 1.73 ± 1.18, p < 0.001). The six ultrasound criteria could not identify follicular cancer.ConclusionOur findings support the recently published EU-TIRADS score. Apart from mild hypoechogenicity, the analyzed ultrasound criteria can be applied for risk stratification of thyroid nodules in the previously severely iodine deficient population of Austria.

Biomass soaking treatments to reduce potentially undesirable compounds in the edible seaweeds sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) and winged kelp (Alaria esculenta) and health risk estimation for human consumption

Samples of cultivated edible kelps Alaria esculenta and Saccharina latissima were analysed for their cadmium, iodine and inorganic arsenic contents. The inorganic arsenic levels were low in both species but samples of A. esculenta had relatively high cadmium contents (up to 2.01 mg kg−1 dry weight (DW)), and iodine levels were high in S. latissima samples (up to 6568 mg kg−1 DW), exceeding the limits established by the French food safety authority for both elements. Simple soaking treatments in warm fresh water (32 °C) reduced the iodine in S. latissima and treatment of A. esculenta in hypersaline solution (2.0 M NaCl) reduced the relative cadmium content. However, both treatments affected the nutrient content of the biomass, illustrated by considerable variations in DW and the content of bioactive compounds (e.g. minerals, polyphenols, fucoxanthin). Health risks associated with the consumption of these seaweed species were estimated using risk factors based on established tolerable intake levels. The contribution of A. esculenta to dietary cadmium intake does not appear to pose a threat to the consumer while the daily consumption of S. latissima leads to excessive iodine intakes. The moderate consumption of these kelps will, on the other hand, improve the iodine status in iodine-deficient populations.

Temporal trends in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (ATPO) testing across two phases of iodine fortification in Tasmania (1995-2013).

Tasmania is an island state of the Australian Commonwealth with a well-documented history of mild iodine deficiency. Between 2001 and 2009, Tasmania experienced two incremental phases of iodine fortification. To examine trends in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (ATPO) testing and their relationship to different phases of iodine nutrition in the Tasmanian population between 1995 and 2013. Retrospective longitudinal study. The major primary care and largest public hospital pathology providers in Tasmania submitted data for all TSH and ATPO tests performed between 1995 and 2013. Data linkage methodology was used to determine trends in TSH and ATPO testing. A total of 1.66million TSH assessments, involving 389,910 individual patients, were performed in Tasmania between 1995 and 2013. There was approximately a fourfold increase in the overall rate of TSH testing during this period with the rate of incident TSH assessment remaining relatively stable over the study period. The incidence of overt suppression and elevation of TSH (TSH≤0.1mIU/L and ≥10mIU/L) declined 62.3% and 59.7%, respectively, with a trend for increased incidence of borderline TSH elevation ≥4.0mIU/L. The incidence of thyroid autoimmunity as determined by the proportion of abnormal ATPO results remained stable, with the absolute number of positive test results increasing during the study period. Iodine supplementation of this mildly iodine-deficient population was not associated with an obvious increase in incidence of overt thyroid dysfunction or autoimmunity. Whilst the volume of TSH testing increased over the study period, the increase was driven by patients undergoing follow-up TSH assessments.