ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Context. Despite the developments in strategies related to the iodization of salt, iodine deficiency is still a serious problem, particularly among pregnant women in certain regions of Turkey. Objective. We aimed to re-evaluate the efficiency of iodine prophylaxis in pregnant women and adults 13 years after iodized dietary salt became mandatory in Istanbul. Subjects and Methods. This study was performed with pregnant women (n = 200) and adults (n = 200, 100 nonpregnant women and 100 men). The participants were questioned about the iodization status of the salt they used. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured using the Sandell-Kolthoff method. Goiter size and UIC were determined according to Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization recommendations, respectively. Results. Ratio of iodized table salt use was 91% in both groups. Although the median UICs were 162.5μg/L (95% CI = 162.5–186.1) in pregnant women and 167μg/L (95% CI = 153.7–172.7) in adults, 43% of pregnant women had a UIC < 150μg/L, and 23% of adults had a UIC < 100μg/L. The prevalence of goiter was significantly higher in pregnant women than that in adults (50% and 32%, respectively), but a small goiter was found in all cases. Conclusion. Iodine prophylaxis in Istanbul is sufficient and has progressed. However, iodine deficiency remains a problem for a considerable proportion of pregnant women, despite more than one decade of successful salt iodization in Istanbul Province. Iodine-containing preparations should be considered to supplement iodized salt for pregnant women.

Context. It is unclear whether treatment is necessary for transient moderate hypocalcaemia occurring after total thyroidectomy; if it is present, it is unclear which treatment modality should be preferred. Objective. To investigate both the necessity and effectiveness of different treatment approaches of oral and/ or intravenous calcium treatment in patients with transient, postoperative, moderate hypocalcaemia. Design. This is a case control study made between June 2014 and June 2015. Subjects and Methods. Forty-five patients who had serum calcium levels 6 hours after total thyroidectomy between 7.5-8 mg/dL were divided into three equal groups: an oral calcium administration group, an intravenous calcium administration group and a no-treatment group. Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 2, 5 and 10. Results. For post-thyroidectomy patients with serum calcium 7.5-8 mg/dL in the early postoperative period, no significant difference in serum calcium or parathyroid hormone was detected between groups. Conclusions. Follow-up without treatment seems to be the most effective approach for moderate hypocalcaemia occurring in the early period following total thyroidectomy; this suggests that intravenous treatment should be avoided.

Context. Anethum graveolens L. is used in the treatment of numerous diseases. But there is limited data about the Anethum graveolens efficiency in thyroid tissue. Objective. The aim of this study is to assess the functional and histopathological changes in thyroid tissues from rats treated with Anethum graveolens L. extract. Design. This is an experimental animal study and duration of the study was 30 days. Subjects and Methods. Twenty-eight female Wistar Albino rats were divided into four equal groups. A gavage of Anethum graveolens L. extract at 0, 50, 150 and 300 mg/kg/day doses were given to the rats with 1 mL 0.9% NaCl, respectively, for 30 days. Blood was taken at day 0, 15 and 30. fT3, fT4, TSH values and antioxidant efficiency were observed. Also the thyroidectomy tissue was assessed histopathologically. Results. There is no difference observed in the fT3, fT4 and TSH values of groups 1, 2 and 3 at day 1, 15 and 30 (p>0.05); however, in group 4, TSH value decreased on days 15 and 30 when compared to day 1 and the other groups (p<0.05). Also the hypertrophy and thyroid follicular cell hyperplasia were significantly increased in group 4 (p<0.05). There is no difference in antioxidant efficiency in any of the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion. Anethum graveolens L. extract is effective on both the function and the histology of thyroid tissue but it has no effect on antioxidant status.