[Alimentary iodine deficiency in East Germany and its reflection in thyroid parameters following the initiation of struma prevention].

By regional and countrywide studies carried out in the past 10 years the occurrence of endemic goitre and iodine deficiency (ID) of grade II has been demonstrated in 1981. In 1983 till 1985 an iodized salt (25 mg KI/kg) was offered mainly in the southern counties of the G.D.R. This measure has been followed by the production of 84% of the whole paket salt iodized with stable potassium iodate (32 mg KIO3/kg) since July 1985 and delivered in all the G.D.R. Nevertheless, in the end of 1985 the persistence of iodine deficiency of grade II has yet to be stated by low renal iodine excretion, low iodine content of milk and human milk post partum. The reference values of TT3 (0.84-3.76 nmol/l) and TT4 (41.8-137.3 nmol/l) assessed in 1985 for the G.D.R. are to be interpreted before the background of an iodine deficiency of grade II.