[Weight of the thyroid gland in the Brandenburg district before introduction of iodized salt].

The first prospective investigation of thyroid weights of over 20 years old adults in the GDR is presented. The material is based on autopsy findings from the Brandenburg area before using salt with iodine. Judging by the results this area appears as an endemiological one. Relationships to iodine content of drinking water, comparisons with autopsy statistics of other countries, and the role of regional epidemiological differences are pointed out. The importance of the investigation for patients care and the possibility of controlling the effect of using salt with iodine is underlined. The examination of relations between thyroid weight and anthropometric data showed no additional results.