Elevated Serum Thyroglobulin and Low Iodine Intake Are Associated with Nontoxic Nodular Goiter among Adults Living near the Eastern Mediterranean Coast

Abstract

Background. Information about iodine intake is crucial for preventing thyroid diseases. Inadequate iodine intake can lead to thyroid diseases, including nontoxic nodular goiter (NNG). Objective. To estimate iodine intake and explore its correlation with thyroid diseases among Israeli adults living near the Mediterranean coast, where iodine-depleted desalinated water has become a major source of drinking water. Methods. Cross-sectional study of patients attending Barzilai Medical Center Ashkelon. Participants, who were classified as either NNG (n = 17), hypothyroidism (n = 14), or control (n = 31), provided serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and completed a semiquantitative iodine food frequency questionnaire. Results. Elevated serum Tg values (Tg > 60 ng/mL) were significantly more prevalent in the NNG group than in the other groups (29% versus 7% and 0% for hypothyroidism and controls, resp., P < 0.05). Mean estimated iodine intake was significantly lower in the NNG group (65 ± 30 μg/d) than in controls (115 ± 60 μg/d) (P < 0.05) with intermediate intake in the hypothyroid group (73 ± 38 μg/d). Conclusions. Elevated serum Tg values and low dietary iodine intake are associated with NNG among adult patients in Ashkelon District, Israel. Larger studies are needed in order to expand on these important initial findings.

Low intake of iodized salt and iodine containing supplements among pregnant women with apparently insufficient iodine status - time to change policy?

“…The study took place at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of BUMCA. The BUMCA is located in the Ashkelon sub-district, a geographical area with extensive reliance on DIDW since 2011 [21]. Figure 2 presents a map showing the location of the city of Ashkelon (where the BUMCA is located), and the Ashkelon sub-district location and area.…”

“…Iodine intake assessment using semi-quantitative iodine food frequency questionnaire A previously used, semi-quantitative iodine food frequency questionnaire (sIFFQ) with a focus on iodine rich foods, designed for the Israeli adult population was used in order to assess habitual iodine intake as reported elsewhere [18]. Estimates of the iodine content of the foods consumed by study participants were derived from multiple sources: specific food items from the Department of Nutrition at the MOH (iodine composition [21,25]. In brief, iodine intake was estimated for foods of marine origin (including fish and sea food), milk products (including milk, cheese and yogurt), water, and other significant sources of iodine [21].…”

Effect of Comprehensive Nursing Intervention on Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Suppression for Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

“…TSH level is an independent predictor of recurrence and death rate of thyroid cancer, and there is a positive correlation between TSH level and thyroid cancer recurrence and mortality [3]. So a reasonable TSH suppression regimen should be developed according to patients' thyroid hormone levels [4][5]. However, the dose of thyroid hormone varies from person to person, so individualized TSH treatment needs to be performed on patients with differentiated thyroid cancer according to TNM staging and risk stratification.…”

Communicating risk for issues that involve ‘uncertainty bias’: what can the Israeli case of water fluoridation teach us?

“…In addition, in 2005, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted a resolution that urged member states to regularly monitor the iodine situation in their country (Zimmermann and Andersson 2012). Nevertheless, in Israel, not only is there no policy of adding iodine to table salt, but there are no national data on iodine intake (Ovadia et al 2014). Israel is listed among 43 countries in which no UIC data (measurement of urinary iodine concentrations) are available (Zimmermann and Andersson 2012).…”

“…Israel is listed among 43 countries in which no UIC data (measurement of urinary iodine concentrations) are available (Zimmermann and Andersson 2012). Data from Israeli National Health Interview Surveys by Israel Center for Disease Control show that in 2003-2010, the self-reported use of thyroid disease medication among Israeli adults increased from 2.9 to 4.7% -a finding that may indicate a problem regarding the iodine levels among the Israeli population (Ovadia et al 2014). …”