title: The measurement and application of TSH-IRMA levels among different age groups in areas with iodine deficiency disorders.
abstract: Using immunoradiometric TSH assay (TSH-IRMA) to measure whole blood TSH levels spotted onto filter paper, we compared TSH levels among different age groups (neonates, < 1 yr infants, schoolchildren aged 7 to 14 yrs, adults, pregnant women and reproductive-age women) in Guiyang, where iodine deficiency has long been a problem. The results showed: 1) The percentage of subjects with TSH levels equal to or greater than 5 mIU/L in the neonate group was 38.9% while the percentages in the other groups were 0-3.3% (P < 0.01); 2) The TSH levels of the neonates were inversely related to the urinary iodine values of their mothers (pregnant women). (r = -0.5, P < 0.01); 3) 97.6% of the inhabitants in Guiyang ingested salt with less than 20 mg/kg iodine. The results indicate that iodine deficiency remains a problem in Guiyang. Neonates are the only ideal population for monitoring iodine deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Unit, Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003409:Congenital Hypothyroidism; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000517:prevention & control; D015592:Immunoradiometric Assay; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013972:Thyrotropin; D007455:Iodine