Title
Thyroglobulin is a sensitive measure of both deficient and excess iodine intakes in children and indicates no adverse effects on thyroid function in the UIC range of 100-299 μg/L: A UNICEF/ICCIDD study group report
Date Issued
01 March 2013
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Zimmermann M.
Aeberli I.
Andersson M.
Assey V.
Yorg J.
Jooste P.
Jukić T.
Kartono D.
Kusić Z.
Luis T.
Juliawati Untoro
Timmer A.
Publisher(s)
Endocrine Society
Abstract
Context: The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is a biomarker of iodine intake. According to the World Health Organization, a median UIC in the range 100-199 μg/L indicates adequate and 200-299 μg/L more than adequate intake. Thyroglobulin (Tg) may be a promising functional biomarker of both iodine deficiency and excess. Objectives: Using a standardized dried blood spots-Tg assay in children, we evaluated the Tg response to bothlow-and high-iodine intake and estimated the population cut off point for iodine deficiency or excess. Also, we compared thyroid functions within the UIC ranges of 100-199 vs 200-299 μg/L. Design and Setting: We conducted a cross-sectional study in primary schools in 12 countries. Subjects: Subjects were 6 to 12 years old (n = 2512). Main Outcome Measures: We measured UIC, TSH, total T4, Tg, and thyroid antibodies. Results: Over a range of iodine intakes from severely deficient to excessive, Tg concentrations showed a clear U-shaped curve. Compared with iodine-sufficient children, there was a significantly higher prevalence of elevated Tg values in children with iodine deficiency (UIC<100 μg/L) and iodine excess (UIC>300 μg/L). There was no significant change in the prevalence of elevated Tg, TSH, T4, or thyroid antibodies comparing children within the UIC ranges of 100-199 vs 200-299 μg/L. Conclusions: In school-aged children, 1) Tg is a sensitive indicator of both low and excess iodine intake; 2) a median Tg of <13 μg/L and/or <3% of Tg values >40 μg/L indicates iodine sufficiency in the population; 3) the acceptable range of median UIC in monitoring iodized salt programs could be widened to a single category of sufficient iodine intake from 100 to 299 μg/L. Copyright © 2013 by The Endocrine Society.
Start page
1271
End page
1280
Volume
98
Issue
3
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Medicina clínica Endocrinología, Metabolismo (incluyendo diabetes, hormonas)
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84874849222
PubMed ID
Source
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
ISSN of the container
0021972X
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus