Iodination and its effect on hyperthyroidism

• Main Authors: P.C.A. Ratnatunga, K.B. Galketiya, R. Dassanayake, A.M. Kumari, G.B. Agalawatte, N.V.I. Ratnatunge, C.N. Ratnatunga
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Kandy Society of Medicine 2017-02-01
• Series: Sri Lanka Journal of Medicine
• Subjects: iodination, hyperthyroidism
• Online Access: https://sljm.sljol.info/articles/19

<p class="Default"><strong>Background</strong>: Iodine supplementation with salt as a carrier was introduced in Sri Lanka in 1995. Literature from elsewhere suggest that there is an increase in hyperthyroidism after the initiation of such programmes.</p><p class="Default"><strong>Objectives</strong>: To identify weather iodination precipitated an exacerbation of hyperthyroidism in the Central Province of Sri Lanka</p><p class="Default"><strong>Methods</strong>: Four-hundred-and-eight consecutive patients with hyperthyroidism seen over a period of thirty one years in a General Surgical Clinic at Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya were reviewed.</p><p class="Default"><strong>Results</strong>: The prevalence of secondary hyperthyroidism increased after iodination. No change in the demography and presentation of simple diffuse toxic goiter was observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>: Physicians must be aware of this increased incidence of hyperthyroidism after iodination and need to be vigilant of the need to control it, in view of its complications.</p>