QUANTITATIVE STUDIES OF IODINE METABOLISM IN SPORADIC, NON-TOXIC GOITRE

Abstract

ABSTRACT In 129 patients with non-toxic goitre and 27 normal controls, thyroid dynamic patterns were estimated in an attempt to elucidate pathogenesis. The clinically euthyroid state was confirmed by measurement of PBI, T3-sephadex uptake and BMR. Thyroid clearance (th. cl.), plasma iodide (PII), and absolute iodine uptake (AIU) were determined and a perchlorate discharge test performed. Twenty patients (16%) had a high AIU and were thus suspected of having dyshormonogenesis; nine were thoroughly investigated and in six dyshormonogenesis was found. Both normals and non-toxic goitre patients had a low PII, but in the goitrous patients values were lowest. The thyroid clearance of iodide was significantly higher in the goitre patients, suggesting iodine deficiency to be a major aetiologic factor for goitre formation. AIU was higher in the goitre patients than in normals, suggesting a larger iodine leakage from the thyroid in these patients.