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Assessment of Urinary Iodine Excretion Among Normal Kuwaiti Adults

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Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the status of iodine intake among the Kuwaiti population and its effect on thyroid function. The study group was comprised of 139 females and 86 males with a mean age of 33 and 35 years, respectively. Urinary iodine excretion (UIE) and serum free T4 (FT4), thyrotropin hormone (TSH), antiperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPOAb), and antithyroglobulin antibodies (anti-TGAb) were determined. Median UIE was 148 µg/L (within the recommended level by the World Health Organization [WHO]). However, UIE levels of <100 and <50 µg/L were detected in both male and female groups, respectively. Serum levels of TSH and FT4 were normal for all except one of the participants who suffered from hyperthyroidism, possibly as a result of elevated iodine intake, which was reflected in an increased UIE of 590 µg/L. Elevated anti-TPOAb >75 IU/mL and anti-TGAb >150 IU/mL were detected in 15% and 34% of subjects; only 10% of them had elevated levels of both anti-TPOAb and anti-TGAb. Thus, based on the WHO recommendations, the iodine intake for the Kuwaiti population is adequate. However, it is recommended that a national study be conducted by the appropriate authority in order to eliminate any artifacts which may have appeared in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Allied Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait

    Fatma I. Al-Yatama & Fawziah Mohammed

  2. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait

    Maie D. Al-Bader

  3. Pediatric Department, Al Sabah Hospital, Kuwait, Kuwait

    Zaidan M. Al-Mazidi

  4. Central Analytical Laboratory, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait, Kuwait

    Ameena Ali & Ali S. Al-Omair

  5. Medical Laboratory Dept., Al-Sabah Hospital, Kuwait, Kuwait

    Nasser A. Al-Jehma

Authors
  1. Fatma I. Al-Yatama
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  2. Maie D. Al-Bader
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  3. Zaidan M. Al-Mazidi
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  4. Ameena Ali
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  5. Ali S. Al-Omair
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  6. Nasser A. Al-Jehma
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  7. Fawziah Mohammed
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Correspondence to Fatma I. Al-Yatama.

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Al-Yatama, F.I., Al-Bader, M.D., Al-Mazidi, Z.M. et al. Assessment of Urinary Iodine Excretion Among Normal Kuwaiti Adults. Biol Trace Elem Res 132, 67–74 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8398-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8398-6

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