Abstract

A number of cases of goiter have been reported from Ban Mae Toen (BMT) northwestern Thailand, therefore we carried out this study to evaluate the prevalence and severity of goiter in BMT. We suspected fluoride toxicity as a factor in this phenomenon, therefore we used a WHO model using photographs to carry out a non-medical survey for teeth discoloration and limb deformity at the same time as the goiter survey. Every resident of BMT and a sampled population from two nearby control villages were surveyed in 2007. The overall prevalence of goiter among both sexes was 11%; 20% in women and 3% in men. No cases of goiter were recognised in the two control villages. Twenty-four percent of the BMT population and 5% of the sampled population of the control villages had lower limb deformities. Sixty-three percent of the BMT population had discoloration of teeth, especially among those >35 years old. The control villages had significantly (p<0.01) fewer cases of discoloration of teeth than the BMT population. The morbidity seen in Ban Mae Toen suggests the need for urgent enquiry into the etiology of this morbidity.

• Related Studies :

  • [Effects of fluoride on thyroid structure in chicks].

    Objective: To investigate the effects of fluoride on thyroid structure in chicks. Methods: 250 one day chicks were randomly divided into 5 groups, 50 for each. Group I was the control, and other four groups, group II, III, IV, V were fed the diets containing 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 mg/kg of

  • Epidemiological study of goitre in endemic fluorosis district of Gujarat

    Soft tissue fluoride toxicity is well established. Several animal and human studies of the effect of fluoride on the thyroid gland have shown conflicting results. Endemic fluorosis and goitre are widespread in India with considerable overlapping in different geographical zones. We examined 22,276 individuals for  presence of goitre and dental

  • Assessment of iodine status in children, adults, pregnant women and lactating women in iodine-replete areas of China

    BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are widespread in China. Presently, IDD have been put under control by Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) in China; however, there is a lack of evidence on whether the iodine status in adults, pregnant women and lactating women is optimal. This study was therefore conducted to assess

  • Role of nitric oxide and vascular endothelial growth factor in fluoride-induced goitrogenesis in rats

    Endemic fluorosis is a serious problem in public health. Previous studies have indicated that patients with thyroid goiters usually live in fluoride-affected areas. However, the mechanism of goitrogenesis caused independently by fluoride is still unclear. The principle objective of this study was to investigate the possible roles of nitric oxide

  • The effects of high levels of fluoride and iodine on intellectual ability and the metabolism of fluoride and iodine.

    The authors carried out a study on the intellectual abilities and fluoride/iodine metabolism of children living in a high fluoride-high iodine area. Among the results: the percentage of the general population living in this fluoride/iodine-contaminated region that suffered from goiter (clinical thyroid enlargement) was 3.8%, the rate of children already showing some thyroid

• Related FAN Content :

  • Fluoride & Goiter

    Goitre (aka goiter) is an enlargement of the thyroid gland that in some cases can produce visible swelling in the neck. The main cause of goitre is iodine deficiency. Goitre can also be caused by other things, including hypothyroidism and substances that cause goitre (goitrogens). Since as far back as the

  • The Relationship Between Fluoride Exposure & Goitre in South Africa

    As a general rule simple goitre, irrespective of the cause, can be very, or fairly, satisfactorily combated by an adequate increase in man's daily iodine intake, except when the enlargement of the gland is due to the ingestion of excessive amounts of fluorine. The only correct solution to fluorine-induced endemic goitre is the removal of this element from the drinking water.

  • Fluoride, Water Hardness, and Endemic Goitre

    Variations in goitre prevalence were found to correlate closely with the fluoride content (p=0-74; P<0-01) and with the hardness (p=0.77; P<0-01) of the water in each village. The effects of fluoride and water hardness seem to be independent.

  • Fluorine in the Aetiology of Endemic Goitre

    The distribution of endemic goitre in the Punjab and in England is related to the geological distribution of fluorine and to the distribution of human dental fluorosis (mottled enamel). Inquiry showed the presence of dental fluorosis among school-children in two areas of Somerset where two previous observers had recorded a high incidence of goitre, and the absence of dental fluorosis in an adjoining area selected as control where endemic goitre was absent.

  • NRC (2006): Fluoride's Impact on the Thyroid Gland

    Several lines of information indicate an effect of fluoride exposure on thyroid function. It is difficult to predict exactly what effects on thyroid function are likely at what concentration of fluoride exposure and under what circumstances.