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Laurberg et al., Aalborg, Denmark, studied iodine content of tap
water from 55 different locations in Denmark and correlated the content
to the known urinary iodine excretion level. They found that tap water
iodine varied from <1.0 to 139 µg/l and is the major determinant
of regional iodine intake levels. They suggest that measurements of iodine
in tap water is important in the evaluation of iodine status of an area.
Knobel et al., Sao Paulo, Brazil, measured anti-Gal (= a-galactosyl) antibodies in 36 patients with endemic goiter grade III-IV, 20 patients grade I-II, both groups living in areas with marginally low iodine intake, and in 55 normal controls. Antibody levels were elevated in both groups of goitrous patients and decreased when patients were injected with iodized oil. As anti-Gal antibodies mimic TSH effects in vitro, the authors hypothesize that these antibodies may play a role in goiter development in endemic goiter. |
