ENDEMIC GOITER IN AUSTRALIAN YOUTH

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 16  (2) , 189-194
Abstract
After 17 yr the efficiency of iodine prophylaxis of endemic goiter (1:100,000) in Austria was chicked by control field studies in 3 Tyrolean towns in Austria. The data obtained there were compared with those of 123 schoolage children from the iodine deficient endemic goiter area of the province of Bolzano (Italy). The results show a reduction in goiter incidence from 50 to 35% in the total population in Austria, where goiter incidence in schoolchildren dropped from 45.9 to 12%. Urinary iodine/g creatinine was 65 .mu.g in Austria, the 24 h radioiodine uptake with 41.8% was normal. In comparison the ethnologically and geographically similar endemic goiter zone in the province of Bolzano showed a goiter incidence in schoolchildren of up to 46%, while urinary iodine/g creatinine was 35.9 .mu.g and radioiodine uptake after 24 h .apprx. 50%. Extensive studies of peripheral hormone parameters (T4 [thyroxine], T4-binding globulin, T3 [triiodothyronine], thyrotropin, r[reverse]T3, free T3, free T4) revealed a significantly higher rT3 concentration of 24.7 ng/dl in Austria compared with a value of only 19.8 ng/dl in the province of Bolzano. These facts suggest an increased conversion of T4 to real T3 in iodine deficiency, which might contribute to the adaptation of the organism to this condition. No statement can be presented regarding the regulation of this phenomenon. Even as endemic goiter is decreasing in Austria, an increase of salt iodization to 1:50,000 might eliminate definitely endemic goiter in Austria.

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