In:
Acta Endocrinologica, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 85, No. 2 ( 1977-06), p. 325-334
Abstract:
The whole population of Certosa (Karthaus) (altitude 1327 m), a little village in the Alto Adige province in Northern Italy, was studied regarding the incidence and pathophysiological data of endemic goitre. The study included 204 subjects: in 85 % of the whole population, and in 48 % of the school-children population from 6-14 years of age, thyroid enlargement and/or nodularity was found. The 24 h [ 131 I]uptake was 48.6 ± 11.96; the grade "O" thyroids also showed an increased uptake. The region is poor in iodine; the mean iodine content of 55 samples of local drinking water was 0.81 ± 0.96 μg/I; the iodine content of several foodstuffs was definitely lower than those from Turin's markets. The mean iodine excretion in 60 samples of urine was 35.96 ± 22.4 μg/g creatinine. Urinary iodine excretion showed a linear negative correlation with [ 131 I]uptake and did not correlate well with the presence or size of the goitre. The mean values of PBI (6.12 ± 1.57 μg/100 ml) of T 4 (7 ± 2.3 μg/100 ml), of T 3 (121 ± 55.4 ng/100 ml) and of a free thyroxine index (ETR = 0.95), as well as of TSH (2.63 ± 1.9 μU/ml) were in the normal range. Grade III goitres had slightly lower hormonal values, and a somewhat elevated T 3 /(T 4 x100) ratio (0.19). Serum TSH levels showed no correlation with the presence or size of the goitre, radioiodine uptake, the urinary iodine excretion, and not always showed an inverse correlation with the peripheral thyroid hormone values. Urinary thiocyanate excretion (mean value 9.28 ± 2.96 mg/24 h) did not show any relation to the presence of goitre. Raven's tests and physical data obtained from school-children in Alto Adige show some slight alteration in the distribution pattern when compared to normal populations. It is concluded that iodine deficiency exists in the studied area, but that it is not always associated with goitre, and that other pathological factors must be involved in goitrogenesis. Goitre is not coupled with enhanced TSH serum levels. The slight alteration in intellectual and somatic development in schoolchildren may possibly be related to iodine deficiency; other environmental or genetic factors, however, cannot be excluded.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0804-4643
,
1479-683X
DOI:
10.1530/acta.0.0850325
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
1977
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1485160-X
