Determination of the natural level of human intra-thyroid iodine by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The iodine thyroid content of 57 relatively healthy men and women 14-60 years old was studied using instrumental neutron activation analysis. Two methods were used: analysis of whole glands and the analysis of lyophilized samples weighing 50 mg each. Very good agreement between results was obtained. It was shown that the total iodine content, concentration and weight did not depend on age and sex. The typical mean thyroid parameters were found for healthy people of non-endemically goitrous regions where iodated food is not eaten. Average thyroid weight was 14.2 g, iodine concentration was 350 mu g/g of wet weight and thus total iodine content was 5 mg.