Comparison of Urinary Iodine Concentration in Hypothyroid and Euthyroid Subjects in a Tertiary-care Centre
Year: 2026
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Introduction: Thyroid disorders are highly prevalent in India, with hypothyroidism representing a major endocrine burden. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is a validated biomarker of iodine status, yet evidence on its relationship with thyroid dysfunction in southern India remains limited. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving adult hypothyroid patients and age- and sex-matched euthyroid controls to compare UIC in overt hypothyroid, subclinical hypothyroid, and euthyroid subjects and to assess its association with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) attending the Endocrinology Department of a tertiary care hospital. Clinical evaluation, thyroid function testing, and spot UIC estimation were performed. UIC was categorised as insufficient, sufficient, or more than adequate (super-sufficient). Results: A total of 69 subjects were included: 15 with overt hypothyroidism, 24 with subclinical hypothyroidism, and 30 euthyroid controls. Mean TSH levels were 32.21 ± 56.67 mIU/mL in overt hypothyroidism, 6.68 ± 1.49 mIU/mL in subclinical hypothyroidism, and 2.27 ± 1.06 mIU/mL in controls (p=0.02). The overall mean UIC was 140.7 ± 45 mcg/L. Mean UIC values were 153.9 ± 26 mcg/L in overt hypothyroidism, 140.7 ± 45 mcg/L in subclinical hypothyroidism, and 137 ± 53.7 mcg/L in controls. (p=0.53). Most participants had UIC in the sufficient range, and no subject demonstrated iodine supersufficiency. No correlation could be found between the TSH and UIC in the individual groups. Conclusion: The universal iodination programme has led to iodine sufficiency in the studied population and and the results suggest that iodine sufficiency has neutral effects on thyroid hormone levels. Thus universal salt iodization has not caused any iodine super-sufficiency and thus should continue.
Source: Thyroid Research and Practice
Institution: M.S. Ramaiah Medical College
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7220833024