Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the iodine intake in the resident
population in Xi’an and analyze the relationship between iodine nutritional
status and the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid nodules
(TNs). A total of 2507 people were enrolled in Xi’an. Venous serum thyroid
stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin
antibody (TgAb), urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and thyroid ultrasonography
were collected. Patients with abnormal TSH were checked for free thyroxine (FT4)
and triiodothyronine (FT3). Adults in Xi’an had median UICs of 220.80 μg/L and
178.56 μg/l, respectively. A sum of 16.78% of people had subclinical
hypothyroidism. Both iodine excess and iodine deficit increased the frequency of
subclinical hypothyroidism. The lowest was around 15.09% in females with urine
iodine levels between 200 and 299 μg/l. With a rate of 10.69%, the lowest
prevalence range for males was 100–199 μg/l. In Xi’an, 11.37% of people have
TNs. In comparison to other UIC categories, TN occurrences were higher in
females (18.5%) and males (12%) when UIC were below 100 μg/l. In conclusion,
iodine intake was sufficient in the Xi’an area, while the adults’ UIC remains
slightly higher than the criteria. Iodine excess or deficiency can lead to an
increase in the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism. Patients with iodine
deficiency are more likely to develop TNs.
Keywords
urinary iodine - thyroid nodule - subclinical hypothyroidism - iIodine intake - hormone