Influence of iodine saturation on thyreopathy incidence in selected regions of the Czech Republic

Thyreopathy--a disorder of thyroid gland--is, together with diabetes, one of the most common endocrine diseases and, similarly to other endocrinopathies, higher prevalence is seen in women than in men. When eliminating iodine deficiency, it should to be taken into account that the mean ioduria in the general population reaches 100-200 microg/l, just 1.3% of the population does not reach ioduria of 50 microg/l and the prevalence of goitre in school children declines below 5%. The 1991 and 1997 period was a period of slight iodine deficiency (ioduria 100 microg/l). Median ioduria observed over one year follow up differed in different age groups, highest values were seen in the 18-35 age group and declined with age. Median iodinuria depended on the year of follow up, age and gender (p 100 microg/I, thyroid gland hyperfunction was also more frequent in women but with ioduria levels < 100 microg/l. Hypofunction, subclinical hypofunction, hyperfunction and subclinical hyperfunction were more frequent in women. Of unexplained laboratory findings, isolated hypothyroxinemia was more frequent in women and isolated hyperthyroxinemia was more frequent in men. Euthyreosis was more frequent in men than women.