Iodine supplementation in iodine-deficient hypothyroidism and sub-clinical hypothyroidism

ABSTRACT

To see the effect of iodine supplementation in iodine-deficient hypothyroidism and sub-clinical hypothyroidism. This is a cross sectional prospective study. Thyroid Clinic of Centre for Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound, Khulna [CNMU, Khulna] run jointly by CNMU, Khulna and Medicine department of Khulna Medical College, Khulna for a period of 3 years from January 2001 to December 2003. Patients were selected from the Thyroid Clinic. Inclusion criteria were [1] presence of goitre, [2] normal or low T4 and high TSH level and [3] high two hours and 24 hours radioactive iodine uptake. Percentage of euthyroidism with iodine supplementation in iodine-deficient hypothyroidism and sub-clinical hypothyroidism. Changes in goitre grade, thyroid volume, serum T4 and TSH. Out of fifty-seven patients, 42 [73.7%] resumed euthyroidism with iodine supplementation alone and 15 [26.3%] needed thyroid replacement along with iodine supplementation. Regarding the goitre grade and thyroid volume, out of 6 goitre grade 1B, two [33.3%] remained goitre 1B, three [50%] had grade 1A and one [16.7%] had goitre grade 0 respectively and out of 51 goitre grade2, six [11.8%] remained grade 2, 32 [62.7%] had grade 1B and 13 [25.5%] had grade 1A goitre respectively with overall reduction of thyroid volume from 24.60 +/- 6.07 ml to 16.86 +/- 3.23 ml i.e., reduced by 31.5%. Regarding the biochemical status, mean T4 increased from 65.65 +/- 27.32 to 89.59 +/- 21.69 nmol/L and mean TSH decreased from 24.28 +/- 15.90 mIU/L to 3.59 +/- 1.24 mIU/L. Iodine supplementation in iodine-deficient hypothyroidism and sub-clinical hypothyroidism reverses abnormal thyroid function as well as reduces the goitre size