Serum thyroglobulin as a biomarker of iodine deficiency in adult populations

Anne Krejbjerg Motavaf, Lena Bjergved, Inge Bülow Pedersen, Allan Carlé, Nils Knudsen, Hans Perrild, Lars Ovesen, Lone Banke Rasmussen, Peter Laurberg

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17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To clarify which factors may influence the serum Tg level in an adult population and how this may affect Tg as a biomarker of iodine deficiency (ID).

DESIGN AND METHODS: Two identical cross-sectional studies were performed before (C1a: 1997-98, n=4649) and after (C2: 2004-05, n=3570) the Danish mandatory iodine fortification (IF) of salt (2000). Additionally, a follow-up study of C1a was performed after IF (C1b: 2008-10, n=2465). The studies took place in two regions with mild (Copenhagen) and moderate (Aalborg) ID before IF. Serum Tg was measured by immunoradiometric method and investigated as outcome variable in multivariate models.

RESULTS: Multiple factors were associated with serum Tg. Some were directly related to iodine intake (cohort, urinary iodine concentration (UIC) level and region), and some were likely mediators of iodine intake effects on Tg (thyroid nodularity, thyroid size and autonomy with low TSH). Others were caused by Tg assay interference (Tg-Ab positivity), aggravation of ID (childbirths and smoking) or TSH stimulation of the thyroid. Estimated 24-hour urinary iodine excretion was a more sensitive predictor of Tg than UIC. Iodine supplement users had low median Tg values compared with non-users both before and after IF.

CONCLUSIONS: Multiple factors should be taken into consideration when evaluating Tg as a marker of ID in adult populations, and the Tg results may depend on the assay used. Still, Tg is a sensitive marker of ID. We suggest including a reference population with known sufficient iodine intake when Tg is used to evaluate ID. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
JournalClinical Endocrinology
Volume85
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)475-482
Number of pages8
ISSN0300-0664
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

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