In order to throw light upon the eventual need for iodine supplementation in Denmark, four age groups of women (15, 30, 45 and 60 years) from the Holbaek municipality were invited for a clinical and ultrasound study of thyroid volume, structure and function. Of the 570 women invited, 391 accepted and were divided into the following groups: group I: 15 years, N= 113; group II: 30 years, N= 100; group III: 45 years, N=98; group IV: 60 years, N=80. The results were as follows: the thyroid gland was palpable in 39% and visible in 16% of the entire group; 19% had a family history of thyroid disorders and 7.6% had a previous thyroid disorder. Thyroid volumes (median (range)) as measured by ultrasound were 12 ml (4\p=n-\29ml), 18 ml (5\p=n-\47ml), 18 ml (7\p=n-\64 ml) and 18 ml (9-51 ml) in groups I \ p=n-\ IV, respectively. The calculated 24-h iodine excretion was 65 \g=m\g(19\p=n-\365\g=m\g),88 \g=m\g(15-274 \ g=m\ g), 97 \ g=m\ g(40\p=n-\737\g=m\g) and 83 \g=m\g(50\p=n-\999\g=m\g) in groups I\p=n-\IV,respectively. An abnormal echo structure was present in 3, 10, 21 and 30%, respectively. Defining a goitre as a thyroid volume above 28 ml indicated a goitre prevalence of 17% in females aged 30\p=n-\60years in the Holbaek area of Denmark. Among the 60-year-old women, 3% had a clinically significant goitre (WHO grade III). Thyroid volume did not correlate with iodine excretion. The benefit of iodine supplementation is discussed. Birte Nygaard, Hedebyvej 3, 3650 01stykke, Denmark

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The polymeric forms of free light chains from the immunoglobulins have been estimated in serum from 10 healthy individuals and from 10 anephric patients. Light chains were also estimated in serum and urine from 29 patients with various degrees of renal insufficiency. The measurements were carried out by a radioimmunoassay. The mean concentrations of light chains in normal serum were found to be 4.9 mg/l for dimeric forms of kappa chains, 5.6 mg/l for monomeric forms of kappa chains, 5.1 mg/l for dimeric forms of lambda chains, and 2.7 mg/l for monomeric forms of lambda chains. The concentration of light chains in anephric man was increased to 5 times the normal level. The concentration of the different forms was 26.7 mg/l for dimeric forms of kappa chains, 29.6 mg/l for monomeric forms of kappa chains, 32.6 mg/l for dimeric forms of lambda chains, and 5.8 mg/l for monomeric forms of lambda chains. A minor amount of tetrameric forms of kappa chains was found. Gel filtration showed that a majority of the kappa chains in normal and anephric serum existed as monomers and non-covalently linked dimers, whereas the lambda chains mainly existed as stable, covalently linked dimers. In renal disease the serum concentration of light chains was found closely correlated to creatinine clearance. The 24-h urinary excretion of light chains was generally increased when the GFR was diminished regardless of the type of renal disease.

The effect on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF) and excretion of albumin and beta-2-microglobulin in the urine after a high oral protein or amino acid load was investigated in young healthy males. After both test meals an increase in GFR of 10%, and in RPF of about 9-18%, was seen. The filtration fraction and albumin excretion rates were unchanged. The increase in GFR was significant from 20 to 60 min after intake of meat and remained elevated for more than 2 h. After the meat meal, a decrease in renal vascular resistance and an increase in S-creatinine, S-phosphate, S-carbamide and beta-2-microglobulin excretion rates was seen, but not after the amino acid load. During the experiments a gradual decrease in S-protein was noted. We conclude that the increase in RPF and GFR caused by intake of protein or amino acids in short-term experiments is not associated with impaired permselective properties of the glomerular membrane expressed in the albumin excretion rate.

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