Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2014) 35 P1059 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.35.P1059

ECE2014 Poster Presentations Thyroid (non-cancer) (125 abstracts)

Voluntary supplementation does not fully correct iodine deficiency among Latvian pregnant women: a national cross-sectional survey

Dace Teterovska 1 , Anna Jekabsone 2 , Elina Tetere 2 , Ieva Kalere 2 , Ieva Strele 2 , Maija Dambrova 2, , Marina Makrecka 2, , Rudolfs Mezhapuke 3 , Vija Veisa 2 , Didzis Gavars 4 & Ilze Konrade 2,


1Dace Teterovska Doctor Practice in Endocrinology, Ogre, Latvia; 2Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia; 3Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia; 4E. Gulbis Laboratory, Riga, Latvia; 5Department of Medicine, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia.


Introduction: Low iodine intake during pregnancy may cause thyroid dysfunction, which might result in an inadequate foetal brain development. Although Latvia has been considered iodine replete, newborn TSH screening data suggest some iodine deficiency. In the absence of universal salt iodization programme we conducted a nation-wide study of pregnant women from all regions of Latvia.

Methods: The study enrolled 426 pregnant women. They were asked to fill a questionnaire on dietary habits concerning iodine intake (n=405). Thyroid function (TSH and FT4) and antibodies (-TPO-Ab) were measured (n=288). Urinary iodine was measured with ammonium persulfate method (n=380).

Results: The median creatinine-standardized urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 81.6 (IQR 46.5–130.7) μg/g Cr during pregnancy (68.40 (IQR=53.46–91.09) μg/l). 81.8% of pregnant women had the UIC under the WHO recommended range of 150–250 μg/g. The median UIC was the lowest during the first trimester of pregnancy (68.6 (IQR=37.0–113.2) μg/g Cr), reaching higher concentrations in the second and third trimester: 87.3 (IQR=47.4–130.2) and 87.2 (IQR=53.0–145.5) μg/g Cr respectively. Women reporting regular iodine supplementation in the form of iodized salt or seafood consumption had higher median UIC (65.9 (IQR=39.8–102.2) vs 86.3 (IQR=49.0–140.1) μg/g Cr respectively) than those with no supplementation (29.6% of respondents; P=0.004). The self-reported prevalence of iodized salt consumption was 52.1% and it was associated with higher median UIC (85.7 vs 79.7 μg/g Cr) without statistical significance (P=0.18). Women taking iodine supplements (16.4% of respondents) had higher median UIC than those without supplementation: 92.4 (IQR=48.5–164.6) vs 80.4 (IQR=46.2–124.9) μg/g Cr respectively, not reaching statistical significance (P=0.16). The median anti-TPO antibody concentration appeared to be lower in women taking iodine containing supplements (P=0.047).

Conclusion: The median UIC indicates iodine deficiency in pregnant women in Latvia. Correction of iodine deficiency with 150 μg iodine daily should be considered for recommendation.

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