[Significance of iodized table salt on the iodine supply of adults and children].

In 42 families from Dortmund iodine intake by dairy products, sea-fish and iodized salt used at home was measured. Urinary excretion of iodine in 24 h-urine samples and spontaneous samples before and after the use of iodized salt was estimated in each person. TSH levels were measured in 71 persons before and after the introduction of iodized salt. Mean daily intake of iodine by milk and sea-fish was calculated as 53 micrograms/d in adults and adolescents (greater than 12 years, n = 95), 57 micrograms/d in pupils (greater than 6- less than 12 years, n = 36) and 40 micrograms/d in small children (less than 6 years, n = 20). The median of iodine excretion in 24 h-urine samples before the use of iodized salt (after 6 months of use) was 61 micrograms/d (77 micrograms/d) in men, 30 micrograms/d (49 micrograms/d) in boys aged more than 12 years, 39 micrograms/d (49 micrograms/d) in women and girls aged more than 12 years, 21 micrograms/d (33 micrograms/d) in pupils and 21 micrograms/d (28 micrograms/d) in small children. There was a corresponding increase of iodine excretion in spontaneous urine samples. These data agree with our estimation of an additional intake of about 20 micrograms iodine/d. In 11 children and adolescents with stage I goiter serum levels of TSH tended to be lower after using iodized salt for 6 months. An adequate additional intake of iodine of about 100 micrograms/d in German adults can not be met by the exclusive use of iodized salt (20 micrograms/g) at home, as the intake of iodized salt is far below the 5 g/day necessary to meet this goal.