Biochemical and Clinical Characterization of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Tamilnadu

Abstract

Iodine is adequately available in the coastal regions of our country and Tamil Nadu with a large coastal area, the chances of iodine deficiency is much less. There is no iodine deficiency among the in our study patients, and the USI program has also eliminated the iodine deficiency as reported by many studies. Three study groups were taken up for the study: Group 1 comprising adult patients referred to the hospital for a thyroid disorder; Group 2 comprised of Paediatric children while group 3 comprised of pregnant women in the 3rd trimester. The excess iodine is known to trigger auto immunity. In this study we have found that thyroid dysfunction is strongly associated with high iodine nutritional status. Iodine excess may cause hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, euthyroid goitre or thyroid autoimmunity, which is classically seen among our study subjects. These effects are usually not only seen at iodine intakes vastly in excess, but may also occur near the upper recommended limit of 200 and#956;g iodine per day. The iodine-induced disturbances can be easily managed; Iodine induced hyperthyroidism (IIH), in particular, disappears from the population within a few years of properly dosed iodine supplementation. Risk benefit analysis clearly is in favour of iodine supplementation, but at the same time speaks for a careful dosing, avoiding median intakes above the upper recommended level. Therefore, continued supplementation of edible salt fortified with iodine should be monitored carefully, and supplementation programs should be tailored to the particular region. Chronic exposure to excess iodine, which may ultimately create a generation of thyroid cripples in South India, should be prevented by careful monitoring and regular follow-up of iodine supplementation. Non-iodised salt should also be available in the market so that patients with thyroiditis, thyrotoxicosis and cancer of thyroid can be treated effectively. Population based study targeting larger numbers of each group of patients taken up in this study. newline