[Correlation between iodine urinary levels and pathological changes in thyroid glands].

OBJECTIVES To determine iodine nutrition in the population and to correlate levels of iodine found in random samples of urine with pathological changes observed in thyroids collected in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS Urinary iodine was determined in 30 random samples of urine and the pathological study was carried out in 55 thyroid glands from corpses received by the Department of Forensic Medicine of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil from May to August 2011. RESULTS In 29 urine samples (96.7%) urinary iodine was above the maximum limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), of 300 mg/L. Fourteen thyroids (25.5%) showed the presence of histological changes compatible with thyroiditis. Higher levels of iodine in urine were observed in females and in of thyroid that showed inflammation (thyroiditis). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that, in this population, there is excess iodine intake, and greater incidence of inflammatory thyroid disease.