Urine iodine concentration and prevalence of goiter among rural women of child bearing ages in Northeast Thailand

Iodine deficiency was investigated in 575 women from 12 villages of Pupaman, Si Chomphu and Amphoe Chum Phae in Khon Kaen province in a project survey under Thai-German cooperation entitled "Promotion of Health and Nutrition Status of Rural Women in Northeast Thailand". The prevalence of goiter (grades 1A, 1B, 2 and 3) were 71.6 per cent in Pupaman, 58.4 per cent in Amphoe Si Chomphu and 35.1 per cent in Amphoe Chum Phae. However, the percentage of urine iodine deficiency of the women from these districts, is reversely with the palpation grading of thyroid gland. The high prevalence of goiter in Pupaman might occur due to goitrogenic effects, although the urine iodine concentration was lower than other districts. Further study about the determination of thiocyanate should be suggested in the high prevalence of goiter.