Intrathyroid stable iodine level and thyroid tumors

Abstract

Intrathyroid iodine level was measured in 126 patients with different thyroid tumours in Russia and in 37 ones in the USA by X-ray fluorescent analysis in vitro. A decrease of intrathyroid iodine concentration was found to be associated with a stepwise loss of differentiation of thyroid tumours. In colloid goitre tissue from Russia, the intrathyroid level of iodine was increased. It was markedly increased in microfollicular adenomas and colloid goitre tissue from American patients, which fact may reflect a higher iodine supply in the USA. X-Ray fluorescent analysis together with clinical studies may be used in preoperative examinations of patients with thyroid nodules.