EVALUATION OF IODINE LEVELS IN LAST THREE YEARS; RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

OP-069EVALUATION OF IODINE LEVELS IN LAST THREE YEARS;RETROSPECTIVE STUDYHümeyra Acıkan, Neslihan Sungur, Sabahattin Muhtaroğlu, Didem Barlak KetiDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University,KayseriOBJECTIVES: Iodine is a basic trace element, required for the production ofthyroid hormone. Iodine deficiency impairs thyroid hormone production andhas many adverse effects. Approximately 2.2 billion people live in regions withiodine deficiency and are at risk for the complications of iodine deficiency.In this study, iodine values measured in urine specimens from biochemistrylaboratory between 2015-2017 were retrospectively screened; gender,age groups and seasonal distribution of low iodine levels were examined.MATERIALS and METHODS: In our laboratory, the iodine spoturine was assayed by Sandell-Klothoff method. From the iodineresults between 2015-2017, the lower ones were identified and thevariation between years was compared by creating different groups.RESULTS: When the years 2015-2017 were examined, it was observed that theiodine deficiency was increasing (43.5%, 47% and 64%, respectively). When thegender percentage of those with low iodine levels is examined, more women wereseen (female and male, respectively, 56% and 45.5% respectively). Consideringthe age range from 0 to 18 years, it was found that iodine lowering was the mostadolescent period and increased over the years (55% in 2015 and 75% in 2017).When seasonal variation was observed, it was found to be generally difference.CONCLUSIONS: Iodine deficiency remains an important public health problem.In this regard, community awareness and continuity of education are important.Keywords: Iodine deficiency, Retrospective,Trace element