Serum thyroglobulin before and after iodization of salt: an 11-year DanThyr follow-up study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Our objective was to investigate individual serum thyroglobulin (Tg) changes in relation to iodine fortification (IF) and to clarify possible predictors of these changes.

DESIGN:

We performed a longitudinal population-based study (DanThyr) in two regions with different iodine intake at baseline: Aalborg (moderate iodine deficiency (ID)) and Copenhagen (mild ID). Participants were examined at baseline (1997) before the mandatory IF of salt (2000) and again at follow-up (2008) after IF.

METHODS:

We examined 2465 adults and a total of 1417 participants with no previous thyroid disease and without Tg-autoantibodies were included in the analyses. Serum Tg was measured by immunoradiometric method. We registered participants with a daily intake of iodine from supplements in addition to IF.

RESULTS:

Overall, the follow-up period saw no change in median Tg in Copenhagen (9.1/9.1 μg/l, P=0.67) while Tg decreased significantly in Aalborg (11.4/9.0 μg/l, P<0.001). Regional differences were evident before IF (Copenhagen/Aalborg, 9.1/11.4 μg/l, P<0.001), whereas no differences existed after IF (9.1/9.0 μg/l, P=1.00). Living in Aalborg (P<0.001) and not using iodine supplements at baseline (P=0.001) predicted a decrease in Tg whereas baseline thyroid enlargement (P=0.02) and multinodularity (P=0.01) were associated with an individual increase in Tg during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS:

After IF we observed a decrease in median Tg in Aalborg and the previously observed regional differences between Aalborg and Copenhagen had levelled out. Likewise, living in Aalborg was a strong predictor of an individual decrease in serum Tg. Thus, even small differences in iodine intake at baseline were very important for the individual response to IF.

• Authors: Anne Krejbjerg, Lena Bjergved, Inge Bülow Pedersen, Allan Carlé, Nils Knudsen, Hans Perrild, Lars Ovesen, Lone Banke Rasmussen, Peter Laurberg
• Journal: European journal of endocrinology (Eur J Endocrinol) Vol. 173 Issue 5 Pg. 573-81 (Nov 2015) ISSN: 1479-683X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26245764 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2015 European Society of Endocrinology.

Chemical References

• Sodium Chloride, Dietary
• Thyroglobulin
• Iodine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Denmark
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Food, Fortified
• Humans
• Iodine (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Sodium Chloride, Dietary
• Thyroglobulin (blood)
• Young Adult