Iodine supplementation restores thyroid functionIodine Deficiency Hypothyroidism Among Children in the United States - 21st Century Resurgence?
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.
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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Kelp effective for iodine deficiencyAcquired hypothyroidism due to iodine deficiency in an American child.
We examined a unique case of a 9-year-old boy who developed severe hypothyroidism from iodine deficiency, likely caused by a restrictive diet. In a quick intervention, we administered a kelp supplement, which effectively corrected both his hypothyroidism and iodine deficiency.
This case highlights the potential benefits of using kelp as a natural iodine source, particularly in situations where dietary restrictions may lead to deficiencies. However, this is a singular report, so broader studies are necessary to confirm these findings.
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Kelp effectively treats iodine deficiencyTreatment of Hypothyroidism due to Iodine Deficiency Using Daily Powdered Kelp in Patients Receiving Long-term Total Enteral Nutrition.
We explored the impact of daily powdered kelp on thyroid function in seven patients suffering from hypothyroidism due to iodine deficiency. After three years of total enteral nutrition with very low iodine intake, these patients showed significant thyroid issues and very low urinary iodine concentrations.
Administering 1-2 grams of powdered kelp daily led to restored thyroid function and normalized iodine levels in their urine, indicating that kelp can be a safe and effective treatment in this context.
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Radioactive iodine effective for adolescentsA Belgian single centre outcome study of radioiodine treatment in adolescents with Graves' disease.
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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