Patients with severe bowel malabsorption do not have changes in iodine status

Objective We evaluated the influence of intestinal malabsorption on iodine status in patients who had short gut syndrome and received total parenteral nutrition (group I) compared with control subjects who had eutrophia (group II) and patients who had other illnesses but normal digestive tracts (group III). Methods Twenty-seven subjects were studied. Iodine intake was determined by the measurement of iodine in ingested food and in parenteral nutrition solutions. Urinary iodine excretion was measured by the Sandell-Kalthoff reaction. Urinary creatinine, anthropometric, and thyroid hormone functions were also determined. Results Daily iodine intakes were 658 ± 125 (mean ± standard deviation), 573 ± 204, and 629 ± 208 μg for groups I, II, and III, respectively. Daily urinary iodine excretion levels were 399 ± 308, 439 ± 192, and 370 ± 268 μg and ratios of urinary iodine (micrograms) to creatinine (grams) were 614 ± 349, 354 ± 142, and 483 ± 292, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences across groups. Conclusion In Brazil the iodine provided by food, including iodized salt, has been sufficient to maintain iodine status in patients with short gut syndrome.