Screening for thyroid diseases in an iodine sufficient area with sensitive thyrotrophin assays, and serum thyroid autoantibody and urinary iodide determinations

Abstract

This study provides further information on the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune thyroid diseases in an iodine sufficient area. In addition, it suggests that more than half of the patients with unsuspected hypothyroidism were negative for autoantibodies and that the excessive iodine intake may be involved in causing latent hypothyroidism.