A collection of update in the thyroid diseases / 中国实用内科杂志

ABSTRACT

After more than 20 years of mandatory salt iodination program, what changes have taken place in the spectrum and prevalence of thyroid diseases? Recent national survey data show that the prevalence of most thyroid diseases(including clinical hyperthyroidism,subclinical hyperthyroidism, clinical hypothyroidism, autoimmune thyroiditis, and goiter) has not increased compared with the results of the 1999 survey. Only the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid nodules increased.The increase of subclinical hypothyroidism is related to the increase of TSH reference value. No increased thyroid nodules have been found to be associated with increased iodine intake.Thyroid cancer rates have risen sharply, but increased iodine intake cannot be blamed. Studies have shown that iodine deficiency poses a greater risk of thyroid disease than excess iodine.The policy of iodizing salt should be continued.