Alimentary iodine deficiency in Germany - Recent results

Germany finds itself among the most iodine deficient countries of Europe. Voluntary use of iodized salt constitutes the only goiter prophylaxis. In the last few years, measures such as the opening up of European internal markets, abolition of lac pertaining to the alimentary iodine consumption. Random samples of urine collected from 5 932 persons without thyroid ailment, distributed over 32 regions of Germany, were measured for iodine excretion. The median value of iodine excretion was 72.4 mu g I/g creatinine. Children under 10 years (76.9) and persons over 70 years (80.7) showed a slightly higher iodine elimination than those between 11-70 years (71.9). No differences between the former East Germany and West Germany as well as North, South and middle regions of unified Germany were observed. 55 % of the study population presented with iodine values between 50 and 100 mu g, 19 % with lower than 50 mu g. Only 9 % showed sufficient iodine state. The results expose the inadequacy of the voluntary measures to tackle the problem of alimentary iodine deficiency.