E3 Journal of Medical Research

E3 Journal of Medical Research Vol. 5 (2) pp. 028-032, December 2016; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2276-9900
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18685/EJMR(5)2_EJMR-16-011

Urinary Iodine levels determined by inductive Couple Plazma Mass Spectrometry in the State of Kuwait

Abstract

Iodine is an essential element which is utilized by the thyroid gland for the biosynthesis of the thyroid hormones. These hormones strongly influence an extended range of biochemical reactions. Immune defense and antibody production depend on reliable thyroid function. Iodine is obtained only through the diet and is mainly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract as the inorganic anion, iodide. The status of iodine nutrition of a population is determined by measurements of iodine as urinary iodide (UI) concentration since it is considered an indicator of the adequacy of the iodine intake of that population. In general, it is assumed that most ingested iodine, such as sodium or potassium iodide, is excreted in the urine, and that equilibrium is established between dietary iodine intake and UI excretion. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry provided reliable results for UI determination, collected from a Kuwaiti population. Results were found in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) criteria( greater than 100 g/L) and not more than 7% of the population with UI <50 g/L. Only one severe deficiency case was observed with UI <10 g/L.

Keywords: Thyroid; Hormones; Immune; Antibody; Diet