We looked into the growing concern of iodine deficiency hypothyroidism among children in the United States. This condition, which can lead to cognitive and physical impairments, was thought to be largely eliminated thanks to universal salt iodization started in the 1920s. However, recent trends suggest that iodine deficiency could be reappearing due to increased use of noniodized salts, lower iodine levels in dairy, and dietary restrictions like veganism or food allergies.
Over an 18-month period, we documented a series of cases where three children were diagnosed with iodine deficiency hypothyroidism despite having no underlying thyroid dysfunction. Their clinical presentations varied significantly—some had large goiters while others showed mild or no goiter at all. The results of their biochemical tests also highlighted a range of thyroid-stimulating hormone elevations.
Importantly, all patients returned to normal thyroid function following iodine supplementation. We propose that measuring spot urine iodine levels alongside elevated serum thyroglobulin could serve as a simpler and effective diagnostic approach, moving away from the more complex 24-hour urinary iodine tests. Our findings shine a light on the necessity of addressing iodine deficiency in today’s dietary landscape.
Read More
Iodine treatment for hypothyroidismLong lasting effect of intramuscular iodine injection in the treatment of goiter in an intestinal failure patient with complete entero-colectomy.
Moderate relevance to thyroid effects
We explored the impact of iodine treatment on hypothyroidism, particularly focusing on a unique case involving a patient who had undergone total entero-colectomy. In this situation, standard methods of administering iodine, such as oral supplements, proved ineffective due to absorption challenges. Our approach utilized ethiodized oil, an iodine-rich contrast agent, which we injected intramuscularly.
We observed that this method not only addressed the patient's goiter but also sustained normal thyroid function for more than five years. The long half-life of ethiodized oil made it an ideal option for patients reliant on parenteral nutrition, who often struggle with iodine deficiency.
This study highlights a promising alternative for individuals facing similar nutritional challenges due to severe digestive issues. Overall, our findings suggest that tailored iodine administration could offer a viable solution for hypothyroidism linked to dietary deficiencies.
Read More
Vitamin D3 reduces thyroid autoimmunityA Prospective Study to Evaluate the Possible Role of Cholecalciferol Supplementation on Autoimmunity in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
Directly relates to hypothyroidism treatment
We explored the potential effects of vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, on individuals diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a common form of hypothyroidism characterized by autoimmune responses that damage thyroid cells. Our study was a carefully structured clinical trial conducted over one year, which included 100 patients suffering from both Hashimoto's thyroiditis and vitamin D deficiency.
Divided into two groups, one received vitamin D3 supplements while the other was given a placebo. After eight weeks, we measured the levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies, which indicate autoimmune activity against the thyroid.
Our findings revealed a significant reduction in these antibody levels among patients who received vitamin D3, showcasing a 30.5% decrease compared to just a 16.5% decrease in the placebo group. This suggests that vitamin D3 supplementation may play a beneficial role in managing the autoimmune activity associated with hypothyroidism.
Overall, our research shows that addressing vitamin D deficiency might be an effective strategy to help manage Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which could encourage discussion about incorporating vitamin D as part of treatment plans for patients. Further research will be necessary to confirm these findings and explore the long-term benefits of vitamin D supplementation.
Read More
Vitamin D3 and iodine benefitsIncreased Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acids and Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids After Treatment of Iodide Intake Adjustment and 1,25-Dihydroxy-Vitamin D Supplementation in High Iodide Intake-Induced Hypothyroid Offspring Rats.
Vitamin D3 effect remains unclear
We investigated the potential benefits of vitamin D3 in treating hypothyroidism caused by high iodide intake in a study involving pregnant rats. The study involved adjusting iodide intake and supplementing with 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D (the active form of vitamin D) to see if these interventions could positively impact thyroid function and related complications.
The newborn rats were exposed to high levels of iodide initially, leading to thyroid dysfunction. After some weeks, we provided either iodide adjustment, vitamin D3 supplementation, or both to assess their effects.
Surprisingly, while vitamin D3 was combined with iodide adjustment, the study did not isolate the effect of vitamin D3 alone. However, we observed that both interventions increased levels of beneficial fatty acids, which are linked to improved thyroid function and lessened cholesterol issues in these rats.
These results suggest that implementing a proper iodide intake and vitamin D3 supplementation can improve thyroid health but do not clearly define vitamin D3's individual impact without additional research isolating its effects.
Read More
We assessed how effective radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment is for inducing hypothyroidism in adolescents with Graves' disease (GD). This treatment is often considered when initial therapies, like antithyroid drugs, do not yield lasting results.
In our examination, we reviewed the medical records of teenagers under 18 years old who received RAI treatment from January 2007 to December 2022. We identified 14 cases and noted their ages ranged from 9.8 to 17.3 years, with I131 doses varying between 5.8 and 15.0 mCi.
Remarkably, almost all patients responded positively within six months after treatment, with a cure rate of 86%. Most experienced hypothyroidism within three months, reinforcing the necessity of monitoring thyroid function early on. We did observe one case of temporary salivary gland inflammation.
Throughout the follow-up period of up to 13 years, there were no relapses, which speaks to the effectiveness and safety of RAI as an option for these young patients with GD.
Read More