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.
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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.
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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.
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Iodine sufficiency aids thyroid healthComparative Analysis of Iodine Levels, Biochemical Responses, and Thyroid Gene Expression in Rats Fed Diets with Kale Biofortified with 5,7-Diiodo-8-Quinolinol.
Relevant contribution to thyroid health
We explored the effects of diets containing iodine-biofortified curly kale on thyroid health, specifically looking at how iodine can address hypothyroidism. By enriching curly kale with 5,7-diiodo-8-quinolinol, we aimed to see if this approach could enhance iodine intake and subsequently improve thyroid function.
Our research found that the iodine content was significantly higher in the kale enriched with this compound compared to the control diets without biofortification. This suggests that consuming this biofortified kale could be a practical way to increase dietary iodine.
Notably, the rats that consumed the biofortified kale exhibited better biochemical markers, including lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are typically beneficial for overall health. We also found changes in the expression of thyroid-related genes in response to the iodine levels, which indicates a positive adaptive response.
Overall, our findings suggest that iodine-rich biofortified curly kale can effectively help tackle iodine deficiency, which is a common cause of hypothyroidism. This nutritional intervention may offer a healthy alternative to traditional methods, such as iodized salt, to improve thyroid health and support general well-being.
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Iodine treatment effects on hypothyroidismSurvival of radioiodine treated hyperthyroid cats that are euthyroid and hypothyroid after treatment, and effect of levothyroxine supplementation on survival time of cats with iatrogenic hypothyroidism.
Touches on important treatment outcomes
We explored how radioiodine treatment influences hypothyroidism in cats and considered whether levothyroxine supplementation can improve their survival outcomes. The study focused on 117 hyperthyroid cats that received radioiodine therapy, with assessments for azotemia and thyroid function afterward.
By screening these cats with a TSH stimulation test, we identified those who developed iatrogenic hypothyroidism. While the results indicated that hypothyroid cats, particularly those who were not azotemic, had shorter survival times compared to euthyroid cats, we discovered that administering levothyroxine significantly improved the survival of these hypothyroid felines.
Although this study presents valuable insights into the connection between iodine treatment and hypothyroidism in cats, we recognize the need for further randomized controlled trials to solidify these findings. It's important to note that while we observed some positive impacts of levothyroxine, the overall effectiveness of iodine treatment alone on hypothyroidism remains to be fully established.
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