scholarly journals Iodine nutrition among the adult population of the Faroe Islands – a population-based study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Herborg Líggjasardóttir Johannesen ◽  
Gunnar Sjúrðarson Knudsen ◽  
Stig Andersen ◽  
Pál Weihe ◽  
Anna Sofía Veyhe

Abstract The World Health Organization recommends monitoring iodine status in all populations with median urinary iodine concentration below 100 µg/L suggesting iodine deficiency. There are no data on the iodine intake among the population of the Faroe Islands. This study aimed to provide data on iodine nutrition in a representative sample of the general adult population from the Faroe Islands. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey in 2011-2012 and measured iodine in urine from 491 participants (294/197 men/women) using the ceri/arsen method after alkaline ashing. Participants include around 100 subjects in each of four adult decades and included participants from both the capital city and villages. The median urinary iodine concentration was low within the recommended range 101 µg/L (range 21-1870 µg/L). No samples were in the range suggesting severe iodine deficiency, but half of the samples were in the range of just adequate or mildly insufficient iodine intake with urinary iodine concentration markedly lower in women than in men (86 versus 115 µg/L; P<0·001). Intake of fish and whale meals affected the urinary iodine concentrations. In conclusion, nearly half of the population had an iodine excretion in the range of borderline or mild iodine deficiency. The lowest iodine nutrition level among Faroese women is a concern as it may extend to pregnancy with increased demands on iodine nutrition. In addition, we found large variations and the intermittently excessive iodine intakes warrants follow-up on thyroid function in the population of the Faroe Islands.

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Creswell J Eastman ◽  
Gary Ma ◽  
Mu Li

Iodine intake must be boosted during pregnancy to meet the demands for increased production and placental transfer of thyroid hormone essential for optimal foetal development. Failure to meet this challenge results in irreversible brain damage, manifested in severity from neurological cretinism to minor or subtle deficits of intelligence and behavioural disorders. Attention is now being focused on explaining observational studies of an association between insufficient iodine intake during pregnancy and mild degrees of intellectual impairment in the offspring and confirming a cause and effect relationship with impaired maternal thyroid function. The current qualitative categorisation of iodine deficiency into mild, moderate and severe by the measurement of the median urinary iodine concentration (MUIC) in a population of school-age children, as a proxy measure of dietary iodine intake, is inappropriate for defining the degree or severity of gestational iodine deficiency and needs to be replaced. This review examines progress in analytical techniques for the measurement of urinary iodine concentration and the application of this technology to epidemiological studies of iodine deficiency with a focus on gestational iodine deficiency. We recommend that more precise definitions and measurements of gestational iodine deficiency, beyond a spot UIC, need to be developed. We review the evidence for hypothyroxinaemia as the cause of intrauterine foetal brain damage in gestational iodine deficiency and discuss the many unanswered questions, from which we propose that further clinical studies need to be designed to address the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental impairments in the foetus and infant. Agreement on the testing instruments and standardization of processes and procedures for Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and psychomotor tests needs to be reached by investigators, so that valid comparisons can be made among studies of gestational iodine deficiency and neurocognitive outcomes. Finally, the timing, safety and the efficacy of prophylactic iodine supplementation for pregnant and lactating women needs to be established and confirmation that excess intake of iodine during pregnancy is to be avoided.


2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan-Fen Wang ◽  
Kam-Tsun Tang ◽  
Wen-Harn Pan ◽  
Justin Ging-Shing Won ◽  
Yao-Te Hsieh ◽  
...  

Background: In 2003, Taiwan’s iodine policy changed from mandatory to voluntary. The Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) 2001-2002 for schoolchildren showed adequate iodine nutrition, while NAHSIT 2005-2008 for adults showed the iodine status was at borderline adequacy. Objective: To investigate the iodine status of the Taiwanese population from schoolchildren to adulthood 10 years after the change of the salt iodization policy. Method: Urinary iodine was measured in samples from subjects in NAHSIT 2013. Results: The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of the Taiwanese population aged 6 years and above in 2013 was 96 μg/L, indicating mild iodine deficiency. The median UIC of 6- to 12-year-old schoolchildren was 124 μg/L (interquartile range [IQR]: 92-213 μg/L), and 115 μg/L (IQR: 80-166 μg/L), 125 μg/L (IQR: 74-161 μg/L), 73 μg/L (IQR: 52-131 μg/L), and 78 μg/L (IQR: 52-132 μg/L) in populations aged 13 to 18 years, 19 to 44 years, 45 to 64 years, and ≥65 years, respectively. Declining iodine nutrition in age groups ≥45 years old was noted that the median UIC of populations aged 45 to 64 years and ≥65 years was 99 and 88 μg/L, respectively, in NAHSIT 2005-2008. The median UIC of schoolchildren was not lower than that during the mandatory salt fortification period, but the distribution of urinary iodine levels signified a dietary pattern change. Conclusion: Wide-ranging variation in iodine nutrition levels was observed in different age groups. Universal salt iodization, as suggested by the World Health Organization, should be the best strategy to achieve adequate iodine nutrition.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
M. Dineva ◽  
M. P. Rayman ◽  
S. C. Bath

Abstract Milk is the main source of iodine in the UK; however, the consumption and popularity of plant-based milk-alternative drinks are increasing. Consumers may be at risk of iodine deficiency as, unless fortified, milk alternatives have a low iodine concentration. We therefore aimed to compare the iodine intake and status of milk-alternative consumers with that of cows’ milk consumers. We used data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey from years 7 to 9 (2014–2017; before a few manufacturers fortified their milk-alternative drinks with iodine). Data from 4-d food diaries were used to identify consumers of milk-alternative drinks and cows’ milk, along with the estimation of their iodine intake (µg/d) (available for n 3976 adults and children ≥1·5 years). Iodine status was based on urinary iodine concentration (UIC, µg/l) from spot-urine samples (available for n 2845 adults and children ≥4 years). Milk-alternative drinks were consumed by 4·6 % (n 185; n 88 consumed these drinks exclusively). Iodine intake was significantly lower in exclusive consumers of milk alternatives than cows’ milk consumers (94 v. 129 µg/d; P < 0·001). Exclusive consumers of milk alternatives also had a lower median UIC than cows’ milk consumers (79 v. 132 µg/l; P < 0·001) and were classified as iodine deficient by the WHO criterion (median UIC < 100 µg/l), whereas cows’ milk consumers were iodine sufficient. These data show that consumers of unfortified milk-alternative drinks are at risk of iodine deficiency. As a greater number of people consume milk-alternative drinks, it is important that these products are fortified appropriately to provide a similar iodine content to that of cows’ milk.


Mediscope ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
GM Molla

Iodine is a micronutrient, which is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones play a major role in the development of different functional components in different stages of life. The relationship between iodine intake level of a population and occurrences of thyroid disorders U-shaped with an increase from both low and high iodine intake. Iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) are a major health problem worldwide in all age groups, but infants, school children, and pregnant and lactating women are vulnerable. During pregnancy and lactation, the fetus and infants are sensitive to maternal iodine intake. Even mild iodine deficiency may lead to irreversible brain damage during this period. A main cause of IDDs of neonates and infants is maternal iodine deficiency. Universal salt iodization strategy has been initiated by the World Health Organization and United Nation International Children Emergency Fund by the year 1993 for correction and prevention of iodine deficiency. Excessive iodine causes hypothyroidism, iodine-induced hyperthyroidism and autoimmune thyroid diseases. Iodine deficiency and excessive iodine, both cause goiter. There are many indicators for assessing the IDDs, such as measurement of thyroid size by palpation or ultrasonography, serum thyroid stimulating hormone, and thyroglobulin but these are less sensitive, costly and sometimes interpretation is difficult. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is a well-accepted, cost-efficient, and easily obtainable indicator of iodine status. Since the majority of iodine absorbed by the body is excreted in the urine, it is considered a sensitive marker of current iodine intake and can reflect recent changes in iodine status. Iodine requirements are greatly increased during pregnancy and lactation, owing to metabolic changes. During intrauterine life, maternal iodine is the only source of iodine for a fetus. UIC determines the iodine status of pregnant and lactating women. Breast milk is the only source of iodine for exclusively breastfed neonates and infants. Breast milk iodine concentration can be determined by UIC. UIC predicts the adverse health consequences of excessive iodine intake such as goiter, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. This review presents that iodine status in different groups of a population can be determined by UIC which will be helpful in assessing the iodine status in a community, finding out the cause of thyroid disorders, to predict the risk of adverse health effects of iodine deficiency and excessive iodine, and in making plan for iodine supplementation.Mediscope Vol. 5, No. 2: Jul 2018, Page 30-35


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3246
Author(s):  
Ahmed A Madar ◽  
Espen Heen ◽  
Laila A Hopstock ◽  
Monica H Carlsen ◽  
Haakon E Meyer

Ensuring sufficient iodine intake is a public health priority, but we lack knowledge about the status of iodine in a nationally representative population in Norway. We aimed to assess the current iodine status and intake in a Norwegian adult population. In the population-based Tromsø Study 2015–2016, 493 women and men aged 40–69 years collected 24-h urine samples and 450 participants also completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The 24-h urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was analyzed using the Sandell–Kolthoff reaction on microplates followed by colorimetric measurement. Iodine intake was estimated from the FFQ using a food and nutrient calculation system at the University of Oslo. The mean urine volume in 24 h was 1.74 L. The median daily iodine intake estimated (UIE) from 24-h UIC was 159 µg/day (133 and 174 µg/day in women and men). The median daily iodine intake estimated from FFQ was 281 µg/day (263 and 318 µg/day in women and men, respectively). Iodine intake estimated from 24-h UIC and FFQ were moderately correlated (Spearman rank correlation coefficient r = 0.39, p < 0.01). The consumption of milk and milk products, fish and fish products, and eggs were positively associated with estimated iodine intake from FFQ. In conclusion, this shows that iodine intake estimated from 24-h UIC describes a mildly iodine deficient female population, while the male population is iodine sufficient. Concurrent use of an extensive FFQ describes both sexes as iodine sufficient. Further studies, applying a dietary assessment method validated for estimating iodine intake and repeated individual urine collections, are required to determine the habitual iodine intake in this population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
Scrinic Olesea ◽  
Delia Corina Elena ◽  
Toma Geanina Mirela ◽  
Circo Eduard

Abstract Objective: Assessment of iodine nutritional status in pregnant women in the perimarine area of Romania, a region without iodine deficiency. Adequate iodine intake is the main source for normal thyroid function, ensuring the need for maternal thyroid hormones during pregnancy, but also for the development and growth of children in the fetal and postpartum period. Material and method: Prospective study performed on 74 pregnant women in the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy, originating from the perimarin area. The following indicators of iodine status were analyzed: urinary iodine concentration (UIC), the ratio between urinary iodine concentration and urinary creatinine (UIC/UCr), the prevalence of maternal goiter and the value of neonatal TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). Results: The mean gestational age was 11 weeks. The ways of iodine intake are: iodized salt - 59.4%, iodized salt and iodine supplements- 23%, only iodine supplements -10.8% and 6.8% consume only non-iodized salt. The median of UIC was 133.03 mcg/l considered insufficient iodine intake (normal in pregnancy UIC >150 mcg/l), but the adjustment of UIC to urinary creatinine reveals a median of 152.83 mcg/g, a value that reflects an adequate iodine intake. The prevalence of goiter was 25.6% characteristic for a moderate iodine deficiency. The prevalence of neonatal TSH >5 mIU/L was registered in 18.8% characteristic of mild iodine deficiency. Conclusions: Monitoring of the iodine nutritional status is recommended for the prevention of disorders due to iodine deficiency under the conditions of universal salt iodization. Perimarine areas considered sufficient in iodine may show variations in iodine status in subpopulations under certain physiological conditions, such as pregnancy. An indicator of iodine status of the population is UIC, but the UIC/UCr ratio may be a more optimal indicator for pregnant women, to avoid possible overestimated results of iodine deficiency in pregnancy.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Hynes ◽  
Judy Seal ◽  
Petr Otahal ◽  
Wendy Oddy ◽  
John Burgess

In Australia, pregnant women are advised to take an iodine supplement (I-supp) (150 µg/day) to reduce risks to the foetus associated with iodine deficiency (ID). To examine the impact of this recommendation on iodine status, and to identify factors that contribute to adequacy during gestation, supplement use and Urinary Iodine Concentration (UIC) was measured in 255 pregnant women (gestation range 6 to 41 weeks) in Tasmania. The median UIC (MUIC) of 133 µg/L (Inter-quartile range 82–233) was indicative of ID, being below the 150–249 µg/L range for adequacy during pregnancy. Women taking an iodine-containing-supplement (I-supp) had a significantly higher MUIC (155 µg/L) (n = 171) compared to the combined MUIC (112.5 µg/L) (n = 84) of those who had never (120 µg/L) (n = 61) or were no longer taking an I-supp (90 µg/L) (n = 23) (p = 0.017). Among women reporting I-supp use, the MUIC of those commencing the recommended 150 µg/day prior to conception was significantly higher than those starting supplementation following pregnancy confirmation: 196 (98–315) µg/L (n = 45) versus 137.5 (82.5–233.5) µg/L (n = 124), p = 0.032. Despite recommendations for iodine supplementation pregnant Tasmanian women remain at risk of ID. Commencing an I-supp of 150 µg/day prior to conception and continuing throughout pregnancy is required to ensure adequacy. Timely advice regarding the importance of adequate iodine nutrition, including supplementation is needed to reduce the risk of irreversible in utero neurocognitive damage to the foetus.


2017 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Murcia ◽  
Mercedes Espada ◽  
Jordi Julvez ◽  
Sabrina Llop ◽  
Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe effect of mild-to-moderate maternal iodine deficiency on the neuropsychological development of their offspring is uncertain. We aimed to assess the association between iodine status during pregnancy and the cognitive and motor development of children at 4–5 years.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study in four Spanish regions with recruitment of pregnant women between 2003 and 2008 and follow-up of their children up to 4–5 years (mean (SD)=4.8 (0.6)). Cognitive and motor function was assessed in 1803 children using the McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities. Dietary iodine and supplementation were measured through questionnaires twice during pregnancy. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured in spot samples. The residuals of a regression of UIC against creatinine were used to define a variable corrected for creatinine (UIC~Cr).ResultsNeither iodine supplements nor iodised salt consumption or maternal UIC were associated with cognitive or motor function. After adjusting for creatinine, children of women with UIC~Cr <100 µg/L had 3.93 (95% CI −6.18 to –1.69) general cognitive scores lower than the reference (150–249 µg/L). Dietary iodine was inversely associated with motor scores and milk but not other dairy products or seafood consumption accounted for this association (beta: −1.36; 95% CI −2.12 to –0.61; per one daily milk serving).ConclusionsWe found an association between low maternal urinary iodine and lower cognitive scores in childhood, although only when corrected for creatinine, adding to the evidence that iodine deficiency may have potential harmful effects on neurodevelopment. Iodine supplementation does not appear to improve child’s neurodevelopment at 4–5 years.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofeng Wang ◽  
Zhe Mo ◽  
Guangming Mao ◽  
Wenming Zhu ◽  
Mingluan Xing ◽  
...  

AbstractThe studies on the increasing incidence of thyroid abnormalities are scarce. The aim of this current study was to ascertain the effects of geographical region on thyroid abnormalities under the context of universal salt iodization (USI). We randomly selected 1255 participants residing in inland and 1248 in coast, with the determination of urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and functional and morphological abnormalities of thyroid gland. The median UIC was significantly higher for the inland participants (188.5 μg/L) than the coastal participants (128.5 μg/L; p < 0.001), indicating iodine sufficiency in both populations according to the recommended assessment criteria by the World Health Organization. However, the spectrum of thyroid abnormalities varied between regions, with hypothyroidism prevalent in inland and thyroid nodules in coast. The associations between region and thyroid abnormalities via binary logistic regression models showed that the coastal participants were at a higher risk of total thyroid abnormalities than those from the inland (OR 1.216, 95% CI 1.020–1.449), after the adjustment of ten confounders (demographical characteristics, smoking status, metabolism syndrome, and hyperuricemia). These results indicated that further investigations of the adverse effects of hypothyroidism and thyroid nodules on health burden is urgently needed to sustain USI program.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laszlo Samson ◽  
Ildiko Hircsu ◽  
Monika Katko ◽  
Miklos Bodor ◽  
Annamaria Gazdag ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate factors affecting conscious iodine intake among pregnant and lactating women in a rural area in Hungary. Methods: Pregnant women were studied and followed during lactation. Urinary and breast milk iodine concentration (UIC and MIC) were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Potential interfering factors, including age, educational status and smoking were assessed. Results: During pregnancy and lactation, mild iodine deficiency was observed; median UIC were 66 and 49 µg/L, respectively. Educational status was found to be a strong determinant of both iodine nutrition and smoking status during pregnancy (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) and lactation (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01). While smoking and non-smoking lactating mothers had similar concentrations of urinary iodine (median UIC: 47 and 51 µg/L, p = 0.95), the breast milk of smoking mothers contained less iodine (median MIC: 150 and 203 µg/L, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Both low iodine intake and smoking contribute to the higher risk of iodine deficiency in women with lower educational status. In smokers, MIC is often low in spite of normal UIC, presumably due to the iodine transport blocking effect of the cigarette smoke towards breast milk; normal UIC may be misinterpreted as sufficient iodine supply towards the child. Antenatal health promotion strategies should focus on young women with lower educational status, even in regions where sufficient iodine intake has been achieved in non-pregnant adults.


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