Reference Interval of Thyroidal Function of Women in the Early,Middle and Late Pregnancy in Jingzhou City,Hubei Province

[Objectives]To study the reference value of thyroid function in healthy women of childbearing age during different pregnancies(early,middle and late pregnancy)in Jingzhou City.[Methods]362 healthy women of childbearing age during different pregnancies(early,middle and late pregnancy)were selected as the study group,and 360 non-pregnant women were selected as the control group.Serum thyroid hormone levels in the two groups were detected,and the reference value was expressed as the median(M)and 95%confidence interval(CI).On this basis,the chart of changing trend of thyroid hormone in the early,middle and late pregnancy were plotted.[Results]Compared with the control group,FT3,TT4,TT3,FT4and TSH in the early,middle and late pregnancy were significantly different in the study group(P<0.05).In the study group,there were significant differences in the early,middle and late pregnancy(P<0.05).[Conclusions]This trend chart has certain reference value in the screening,diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases in healthy women of childbearing age during different pregnancies(early,middle and late pregnancy)in Jingzhou City of Hubei Province.

Association between thyroid function and gallstone disease

AIM： To investigate those associations using data of the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania. METHODS： A study population of 3 749 residents aged 20-79 years without previously diagnosed thyroid disease was available for analyses. Serum TSH was used to assess thyroid function. Cholelithiasis was defined by either a prior history of cholecystectomy or the presence of gallstones on ultrasound. Logistic regression was performed to analyze independent associations between thyroid function and cholelithiasis. RESULTS： There were 385 persons （10.3%） with low （〈0.3 mIU/L）, 3 321 persons （88.6%） with normal and 43 persons （1.2%） with high serum TSH levels （〉3 mIU/L）. The proportion of cholelithiasis among males and females was 14.4% and 25.3%, respectively. Among males, there was an independent relation between high serum TSH and cholelithiasis （OR 3.77; 95%-CI 1.06-13.41; P〈0.05）. Also among males, there was a tendency towards an elevated risk of cholelithiasis in persons with low serum TSH （OR 1.40; 95%-CI 0.96-2.02; P= 0.07）. In the female population, no such relation was identified. CONCLUSION： There is an association between thyroid and gallstone disease with a gender-specific relation between hypothyroidism and cholelithiasis.

Prognostic value of cortisol and thyroid function tests in poisoned patients admitted to toxicology ICU

BACKGROUND: Prognostic value of cortisol and thyroid function tests(TFTs) has previously been evaluated in medical ICUs. We aimed to evaluate prognostic efficacy of cortisol and TFTs in critically ill poisoned patients admitted to toxicology intensive care unit(ICU).METHODS: In a prospective study of consecutively enrolled subjects admitted to the toxicology ICU, lab analyses included TFTs(total T3 and T4 as well as TSH) and cortisol levels drawn between 8 am–10 am during period of the first 24 hours post-ingestion/exposure. Simplified Acute Physiology Score Ⅱ(SAPS Ⅱ) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ) were recorded. All scores were compared to detect the best prognostic factor. Type of poisoning was also included.RESULTS: In 200 patients evaluated, 129 were male and mean age was 31 years. In general, SAPS Ⅱ, T4, and cortisol could prognosticate death. After regression analysis, only cortisol had such efficacy(P=0.04; OR=1.06; 95%CI=1.05–1.08; cut-off=42 μg/d L; sensitivity=70%; specificity=82%). Between aluminium phosphide(ALP)-and non ALP-poisoned patients, level of consciousness, mean arterial pressure, and cortisol level could prognosticate death in ALP poisoning(all Ps<0.001 in both uni and multivariate analyses). Median(interquartile range; IQR) GCS was 7(6, 10) and 15(8, 15) in non-ALP and ALP-poisoned patients(P<0.003). SAPS Ⅱ and APACHE Ⅱ could not prognosticate death at all.CONCLUSION: Cortisol best prognosticated outcomes for subjects admitted to the toxicology ICU. Its level is higher in ALP-poisoned patients probably due to the higher stress while they remain conscious till the final stages of toxicity and are aware of deterioration of their clinical condition or may be due to their significantly lower blood pressures.

Effects of High Fluoride and Low Iodine on Thyroid Function in Offspring Rats

Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight with six females and two males in each group. The rats were exposed to high fluoride drinking water （45 mg F-L^-1 from 100 mg NaF L-1）, low dietary iodine （0.0855 mg kg-1）, or both together in order to assess the effects of these three regimens on the thyroid function of the offspring rats. After the animal model was established, the offspring rats were bred and 10-, 20-, 30-, 60-, and 90-d-old rats were used for the experiment. The treatments for the offspring rats were the same as those of their parents. In comparison with control rats, the relative thyroid glands were changed by three regimens, but the mean values of thyroid weight in the experimental groups saw no marked difference. Serum TT3 levels were increased in all stages in the low iodine （LI） group. In the high fluoride （HiF） group, increase in TT3 levels was observed except in 20-d-old rats. Decrease in TT3 at 20- and 90-d and increase in TT3 at 30- and 60-d were found in HiF＋LI group. Serum TT4 levels first saw an increase, and then dropped in the LI and HiF＋LI group. However, an increase in TT4 was found in the HiF group. The levels of TSH in serum rocketed at d 20, and then dropped in the next stages in experimental groups. The results suggested that thyroid disorder could be induced by high flroride in drinking water, low iodine diet, or both of them. Exposure time to fluoride or low iodine diet was one of the important factors that fluoride can induce the development of thyroid dyfunction.

Relationship between Serum TSH Level with Obesity and NAFLD in Euthyroid Subjects

To explore the relationship between serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level and obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in euthyroid subjects,1322 subjects were sub-jected to a questionnaire survey and physical examination.Fasting blood samples were collected to test serum TSH,plasma glucose and lipids.Fatty liver was diagnosed by type B ultrasonography.The rela-tionship between serum TSH level and body mass index (BMI),percentage of body fat and NAFLD was analyzed.The results showed that serum TSH level was significantly higher in females than in males at the same group,and it was significantly higher in overweight group than in control group.Levels of body weight,BMI,waist circumference and percentage of body fat were increased in TSH >2.5 group compared to TSH ≤2.5 group in women.However,plasma lipids showed no significant differences.In males all the parameters showed no significant differences between two groups.Serum TSH was sig-nificantly correlated with body weight,BMI,waist circumference and percentage of body fat after ad-justment for age in females.Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that percentage of body fat and BMI contributed significantly to the variance of TSH.Serum TSH level was significantly higher in non-alcoholic fatty liver group than in normal group in females.Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that TSH level was not the independent risk factor of NAFLD.Taken together the data suggest that se-rum TSH in normal range is significantly correlated with BMI and percentage of body fat in females.And the change of TSH level would not influence the prevalence of NAFLD.

Occupational Radiation Exposure and Changes in Thyroid Hormones in a Cohort of Chinese Medical Radiation Workers

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the association between occupational radiation exposure and changes in thyroid hormone levels among medical radiation workers.Methods This retrospective cohort study included 2,946 radiation workers from 20 Guangzhou hospitals.Data on general characteristics,participant radiation dosimetry,and thyroid function test results[thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH),triiodothyronine(T3),and thyroid hormone(T4)]were extracted from dosimetry and medical records.The generalized estimating equation was used to evaluate the trend of changes in thyroid hormone levels over time and was adjusted for age,gender,and occupation.Results The average annual effective dose was very low and showed a general downward trend.During the follow-up period,changes in T3 and T4 levels among radiation workers were-0.015[95% confidence interval(CI)-0.018 to-0.012]nmol/L per year and-2.294(95%CI-2.426 to-2.162)nmol/L per year,respectively.Thyroid hormone levels were significantly different between males and females.T3 levels in the group of upper quartile of dose were significantly higher than in the lower quartile group(P=0.006).No significant decreased trend in thyroid hormone levels was observed with increasing average effective doses.Conclusion Thyroid hormone secretion might be affected even in low-dose radiation exposure environments.

Impact of Nonlethal Levels of Metacid-50 and Carbaryl on Thyroid Function and Cholinergic System of Channa punctatus

With regard to brain acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholine and serum triiodothyronine(T_3) and thyroxine(T_4)profiles,a biphasic response pattern was elicited in Channa punctatus chroni- cally exposed to nonlethal doses of locally used pesticides,namely,Metacid-50 and Carbaryl. Data revealed that these xenobiotics caused significant inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase activity and a decrease in thyroxine level accompanied by a concurrent increase in acetylcholine accumulation and T_3 level.It is surmised that Metacid-50 and Carbaryl influence both neural and hormonal functions.1989 Academic Press.Inc.

Effect of Occupational Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on the Thyroid Gland of Workers:A Prospective Study

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the biological effects of occupational extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field(ELF-EMF)exposure on the thyroid gland.Methods:We conducted a prospective analysis of 85 workers(exposure group)exposed to an ELF-EMF(100μT,10-100 Hz)produced by the electromagnetic aircraft launch system and followed up on thyroid function indices,immunological indices,and color Doppler images for 3 years.Additionally,116 healthy volunteers were randomly selected as controls(control group),the thyroid function of whom was compared to the exposure group.Results:No significant difference was observed in thyroid function between the exposure and control groups.During the follow-up of the exposure group,the serum free triiodothyronine(FT3)level was found to slowly decrease and free thyroxine(FT4)level slowly increase with increasing exposure time.However,no significant difference was found in thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)over the three years,and no significant difference was observed in the FT3,FT4 and TSH levels between different exposure subgroups.Furthermore,no significant changes were observed in thyroid autoantibody levels and ultrasound images between subgroups or over time.Conclusion:Long-term exposure to ELF-EMF may promote thyroid secretion of T4 and inhibit deiodination of T4 to T3.ELF-EMF has no significant effect on thyroid immune function and morphology.

Changing pattern of thyroid and adrenal function in postmenopausal women after hormone replacement therapy

Objective:To investigate the changing pattern of thyroid and adrenal function in postmenopa-usal women;and the relationship between hormone replacement therapy(HRT)and thyroid andadrenal function.Methods:The levels of tT_3,tT_4,fT_3,fT4,TSH and cortisol were measured in 60 postmeno-pausal women(30 cases in HRT group;30 cases in control group)before and 12 months afterHRT.Results:The serum levels of tT_3,tT_4,fT_3,fT_4,TSH and cortisol had no significant differ-ence before and 12 months after HRT in postmenopausal women.The values of them were all innormal ranges.Conclusion:Changing pattern of thyroid and adrenal function was not as significant as that ofgonads in postmenopausal women and the impact of HRT on it was not so significantly evident.

Correlation between thyroid function and nodular goiter accompanied with gallstone

Objective： The purpose of the study wass to explore the correlation between thyroid function and nodular goiter accompanied with gallstone. Methods： We collected 120 cases about nodular goiter accompanied with gallstone and 128 cases about nodular goiter and establish 50 healthy control groups. Detected t level of hyrotropic hormone （TSH）, total triio- dothyronine （TT3）, total thyroxine in the peripheral venous blood of these cases in the three groups by using electrochemilu- minescenca immunoassay, measure level of total cholesterol （TC）, high-density tipoprotein cholesterol（HDL-C）, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） and total bile acid （TBA） levels by using enzymic method, and observed the changes of thyroid function and blood lipid among the three groups. Results： The serum TT3 level in nodular goiter accompanied with gallstone group and the nodular goiter group was significantly lower than that in control group （P 〈 0.01）, and TSH level in the nodular goiter accompanied with gallstone group is significantly higher than that in control group （P 〈 0.01）, There were no statistical significance about difference of TT4 level among the three groups （P 〉 0.05）. Accordingly, TC and LDL-C level in nodular goiter accompanied with gallstone group was significantly higher than that in nodular goiter and control group （P 〈 0.01）, while TBA level in nodular goiter accompanied with gallstone group was significantly lower than that in simple nodular goiter group and control group （P 〈 0.01）. There was no statistical significance about difference of TC and LDL-C level between simple nodular goiter group and control group （P 〉 0.05）. The HDL-C level in nodular goiter accompanied with gallstone group and control group was higher than that in simple nodular goiter group （P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： The originating etiologic factor of nodular goiter accompanied with gallstone may be related to that the decreased TT3 induced sub-clinical hypothyroidism.

DYNAMIC OBSERVATION OF THYROID FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH APLASTIC ANEMIA

Accelerating cell growth is one of the functions of thyroid hormone. In the absence or lack of this hormone, hematopoietic disorder may occur. Dynamic observation of thyroid function in aplastic anemia (AA) state has not been reported yet.

TSH RECEPTOR GENETIC ALTERATIONS IN THE AUTONOMOUSLY FUNCTIONING THYROID ADENOMAS

Objective To determine the relationship between TSH receptor gene mutations and autonomously functioning thyroid adenomas (AFTAs). Methods The thyroid samples from 14 cases of diagnosed AFTAs were analyzed, with normal thyroid specimens adjacent to the tumors as controls. The 155 base pairs DNA fragments which encompassed the third cytoplasmic loop and the sixth transmembrane segments in the TSH receptor gene exon 10 were amplified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed by the single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Direct sequencing of the PCR products was performed with Prism Dye Terminator Cycle Sequencing Core Kit. Results 6 of 14 AFTA specimens displayed abnormal migration in SSCP analysis. In sequence analysis of 3 abnormally migrated samples, one base substitution at nucleotide 1957 (A to C) and two same insertion mutations of one adenosine nucleotide between nucleotide 1972 and 1973 were identified. No mutations were found in controls. Conclusion This study confirmed the presence of TSH receptor gene mutations in AFTAs; both one-point substitution mutation and one-base insertion mutation were found to be responsible for the pathogenesis of AFTAs.

Efficacy of Xiaojin Capsules Combined with Selenium Yeast Capsules on 120 Cases of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis with Abnormal Thyroid Function

[Objectives]To explore the efficacy of Xiaojin Capsules combined with Selenium Yeast Capsules in the treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)with abnormal thyroid function.[Methods]A total of 180 HT patients who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University and Henan Provincial People's Hospital from December 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the research subjects and randomly divided into the observation group(n=120)and the control group(n=60)in at a tratio of 2∶1 ratio according to their visiting time.The observation group was treated with Xiaojin Capsules(oral,5 capsules each time,twice a day for 12 weeks)and Selenium Yeast Capsules(oral,1 capsule each time,twice a day for 12 weeks).The control group was treated with only Selenium Yeast Capsules(oral,1 capsule each time,twice a day for 12 weeks).[Results]The difference in the levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab),thyroglobulin antibody(TGAb),serum free triiodothyronine(FT_(3)),serum free thyroxine(FT_(4)),and thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)between the observation group and control group was statistically significant(P<0.05).The diameters of thyroid between the observation group and the control group before,during and after treatment were significantly different(P<0.05).The total effective rate of the observation group was 82.5%(99/120),which was significantly higher than 56.67%(34/60)in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The cure rate(22.50%)in the observation group was significantly higher than the control group(3.33%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The ineffective rate of the observation group was 17.50%,which was significantly lower than that of the control group(40.00%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The markedly effective rate of the observation group was 40.83%,which was significantly higher than that of the control group(31.67%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The effective rate in the observation group was 191%,and the effective rate in the control group was 21.67%,and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).[Conclusions]Xiaojin Capsules combined with Selenium Yeast Capsules in the treatment of HT can eliminate or alleviate the clinical symptoms and signs,significantly reduce the levels of TPO-Ab and TGAb in serum,restore thyroid function,improve thyroid shape and structure in the treatment of HT,and the clinical effect is satisfactory.

Effect of Avocado （Persea Americana）, Cabbage （Brassica Oleracea） and Ginger （Zingiber Officinale） on Rat Liver and Thyroid Injuries Induced by CCI4 （Carbon Tetrachloride）

Avocado, Cabbage, and Ginger are a part of a regular human diet and have antioxidant, and antitumor effects. The effect of AVOE （avocado）, GE （Ginger） and CE （Cabbage） extracts separately on liver NO （nitric oxide）, MDA （malondialdehyde）, as well as serum AST （aspartate aminotransferase）, ALT （alanine aminotransferase）, total bilirubin, TC （total cholesterol）, T.G （triglyceride）, HDL cholesterol （high-density lipoprotein）, LDL cholesterol （low-density lipoprotein）, TSH （thyroid-stimulating hormone）, T3 （Triiodothyronine）, T4 （Thyroxine） in rats treated and untreated with CC14 （carbon tetrachloride） was studied. The levels of NO, MDA, as well as serum AST, ALT, total bilirubin, TC, T.G, LDL, and TSH, showed an elevation while, HDL, T3 and T4 showed the decline in rats treated with CC14 as compared to control. Treatment of rats with AVOE and GE pre, during, and post CC14 administration improve NO, MDA, as well as serum AST, ALT, total bilirubin, TC, T.G, HDL, LDL, TSH, T3, T4 as compared to CC14. Treatment of rats with CE pre, during, and post CC14 administration did not improve in the thyroid hormones and lipid profile levels as compared to CC14. These findings suggest that avocado and ginger treatment exerts a protective effect on metabolic disorders by decreasing oxidative stress.

Study on the relationship of iodine nutritional status with thyroid function and autoantibodies in pregnant women in Baotou

Objective:To investigate the relationship of iodine nutritional status with thyroid function in pregnant women in Baotou,and provide a scientific basis for the guide of reasonable iodine supplementation.Methods:By use of As-Ce catalysis spectrophotometry,the urinary iodine concentration was determined in 90 women during different periods of pregnancy admitted to Baogang Hospital of Inner Mongolia from January 2017 to December 2017.The determination of thyroid function and the autoantibody level was carried out by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay(ECLIA).Results:In the early trimester of pregnancy,pregnant women with iodine deficiency,iodine sufficiency and iodine excess accounted for 36.67%,40.00%and 23.33%respectively;in the middle trimester of pregnancy,they accounted for 66.67%,26.67%and 6.66%respectively;they made up 40.00%,40.00%and 20.00%respectively in the late trimester of pregnancy.The rate of iodine deficiency in women in the middle trimester of pregnancy was significantly higher than that in women in the early and the late trimesters of pregnancy respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(p<0.05).The rate of iodine deficiency in pregnant women was positively correlated to the positivity of thyroid peroxidase antibody.Moreover,it had no relationship with the positivity of thyroglobulin antibody.No matter in the pregnant women with iodine deficiency or with iodine excess,the abnormality rate of thyroid function and autoantibodies was significantly higher than that in the pregnant women with iodine sufficiency.The difference was statistically significant(p<0.05).Conclusions:The iodine deficiency in the women in the middle trimester of pregnancy is more severe than that in the women in the early and the late trimesters of pregnancy.Iodine deficiency during pregnancy is positively correlated with the positivity of thyroid peroxidase antibody.Pregnant women with iodine deficiency and iodine excess show a higher abnormality rate of thyroid function and autoantibodies.It is recommended to advocate health education on iodine nutrition to pregnant women,and conduct the dynamic monitoring of urinary iodine concentration and the screening of thyroid function and autoantibodies during pregnancy.

Thyroid Function in Pregnant Women from a West-African Population

Thyroid dysfunction is frequent in pregnant women and is often associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcome. In the present work, thyroid function of pregnant women from Benin republic was studied. Two hundred forty (240) pregnant women, without thyroid disease history, have been included in the study. A blood sample was drawn for measurement of TSH, free T3 and free T4 serum levels. From the first to the third trimester, plasma levels of free T3 and free T4 decreased when plasma levels of TSH increased. Using recommendations of the 2011 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines, thyroid dysfunction was observed in 24.17% of subjects. Hypothyroidism was present in 22.50% of subjects with 19.17% of subclinical hypothyroidism, 0.83% of overt hypothyroidism and 2.50% of hypothyroxinemia and hyperthyroidism was observed in 1.67% of subjects. An increase from 15.52% to 28.07% was observed in the frequency of hypothyroidism from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy. When an upper cut-off value of 4 mU/L was used for TSH, as recommended in the 2017 ATA guidelines, prevalence of thyroid disorders was 14.58% with 12.91% of hypothyroidism but no hypothyroidism was observed in women in the first trimester of pregnancy. A rise in hypothyroidism frequency was observed when pregnant women age increased. Hypothyroidism was very common in pregnant women in Benin. To allow accurate assessment of thyroid status in pregnant women in Benin, pregnancy specific range for plasma level of TSH and thyroid hormones should be established.

Protective effect of thyroid and restores of ovarian function of Buzhong Yiqi granule(补中益气颗粒)on experimental autoimmune thyroiditis in female rats

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of Buzhong Yiqi granule(补中益气颗粒)on thyroid function and ovarian function in rats with experimental autoimmune thyroiditis(EAT).METHODS:EAT model was replicate by using the method of mixing and injecting porcine thyroglobulin with Freund's adjuvant and high iodine.Rats were randomly divided into normal control(NC)group,EAT model(EAT)group,selenium yeast(PC)group,low dose Buzhong Yiqi(BZYQ-L)group,medium dose Buzhong Yiqi(BZYQ-M)group and high dose Buzhong Yiqi(BZYQ-H)group.After two months of drug intervention according to dosage,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure the levels of free triiodothyronine(FT3),free thyroxine(FT4),thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH),antithyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb),thyroglobulin antibody(TGAb)in peripheral blood of rats.The pathological changes of rat thyroid tissues were observed under light microscope with HE staining;ELISA was used to determine estradiol(E2),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),testosterone(T),antimüllerian hormone(AMH),and the pathological changes of rat ovarian tissues were observed under light microscope with hematoxylin and eosin staining.RESULTS:Compared with the NC group,BZYQ granule improved the thyroid and ovarian tissue morphology,and the levels of TPOAb,TGAb and TSH in the model group rats significantly increased(P<0.05),the thyroid tissue was severely destroyed,the levels of E2,FSH,LH,T,AMH significantly increased(P<0.05),and the ovary exhibited polycystic changes;Compared with the model group,TSH level in the BZYQ-L group rats decreased(P<0.05),FSH,T,AMH levels decreased(P<0.05),in the BZYQ-M group TPOAb,TSH levels decreased(P<0.05),FSH,LH,T,AMH levels significantly decreased(P<0.05),BZYQ-H group TPOAb,TGAb,TSH levels significantly decreased(P<0.05),FSH,LH,T,AMH levels significantly decreased(P<0.05),with the greatest improvement and significantly better than selenium yeast group(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:BZYQ granule could regulate the thyroid function of EAT rats,reduce thyroid antibody titers,then act on the ovarian function,regulate hormone disorders,and alleviate the pathological damage of rat's ovarian tissues.The effect of high dose Buzhong Yiqi granule is the best.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of endocrine disease

The hormonal interactions among the systems throughout the body are not fully understood; many vague clinical symptoms may in fact be manifestations of underlying endocrine diseases. The aim of the following review is to discuss gastrointestinal manifestations of surgically correctable endocrine diseases, focusing on abnormalities of thyroid function, cancer and finally autoimmune diseases. We also review manifestations of pancreatic endocrine tumors, and multiple endocrine neoplasia.

Iodine Concentration of Iodized Salts Consumed in Harper

This study determined concentrations of iodine, consistent with WHO iodine fortification standards, in commercial edible salts mostly consumed in Harper. The following hypothesis was put forward in the research study;H1: the iodine content of the two brands of iodized salts is different from the WHO iodine fortification levels;H0: the iodine content of the two brands of iodized salts is not different from the WHO iodine fortification levels. The hypothesis was tested in MS Excel 2010 and 2016 via the T-Test function giving p-value = 0.1476 and p-value = 0.0395 indicative of no significant difference in the iodine concentration of the salts compared with the lower limit of WHO standard 20 mg·Kg-1 and huge contrast in the iodine concentration of the salts compared with the upper limit of WHO standard 40 mg·Kg-1 respectively. The UV spectrophotometric method was used to analyze and measure the iodine concentration in the twelve (12) samples of two different brands bought from grocery stores in Harper city. Results indicated that all samples of the two (2) brands of iodized salts contained iodine of no significant difference relative to the lower limit of WHO standard but far below the upper limit of the WHO standard. The study therefore recommends monitoring of commercial iodized salts by appropriate authorities in Harper to ascertain the WHO iodization fortification standards before reaching consumers.

Low Serum Free Triiodothyronine Is Associated with Increased Risk of Decompensation and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

Background: FT3 levels in plasma may provide a marker for liver status in cirrhosis. Aim: The aim is to correlate thyroid functions with hepatic status in compensated and decompensated cirrhosis, and to study their effect on development of HCC. Settings and Design: Prospective controlled cohort study. A total of 58 patients with liver cirrhosis were recruited from Kasr AlAiny ER and outpatient clinics. Patients were categorised into compensated (11), decompensated (39) and patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (8). The study also included 12 healthy controls. Methods and Material: Liver function tests, TSH, FT4 and FT3 and abdominal ultrasound and triphasic computed tomography abdominal scans were done. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square and unpaired t-tests were used for comparison. One way ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to compare more than two groups. Spearman Correlation followed by logistic regression analysis of significant variables was used to find predictors of dependent variables. Results: The frequency of patients with low FT3 was significantly higher in patients with liver cirrhosis (48%), and HCC (50%) than control subjects (12%) (p-value < 0.001). Mean serum FT3 was lowest among decompensated patients (2 pg/ml ± 0.7), followed by patients with HCC (2.5 pg/ml ± 0.7) and highest among compensated patients (3.7 pg/ml ± 0.4), p-value < 0.001. Logistic regression analysis showed that low FT3, male gender, ulcer bleeding and encephalopathy were independently associated with the development of HCC (OR, 95% CI: 1.1, 0.3 - 8). Conclusions: Low FT3 is common among patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and HCC. FT3 shows a significant negative correlation with severity of liver disease and deterioration of liver function. Low FT3 shows a significant independent association with HCC.