Iodine excretion in regions of Ukraine affected by the Chornobyl accident: Experience of the Ukrainian-American Cohort Study of Thyroid Cancer and Other Thyroid Diseases

Urinary iodine concentrations were measured in 11,926 subjects who are participants in the Ukrainian-American Cohort Study of Thyroid Cancer and Other Thyroid Diseases Following the Chornobyl Accident. Measurements were made in two time periods corresponding to the first and second thyroid screening cycles (1998-2000, 2001-2003). These time periods fall before and after initiation of a government program to increase iodine sufficiency. Median urinary iodine concentrations did increase in the later time period compared to the earlier [47.5 mu g/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) 46.5-48.9 mu g/L versus 41.7 mu g/L, 95% CI 40.4-42.5 mu g/L], but levels remained in the mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency range as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), indicating the need for further efforts at iodination. In both time periods, urinary iodine levels were found to vary by place of residence and were lower in rural compared to urban areas. Iodine status needs to be considered when evaluating risk of thyroid cancer and other thyroid diseases.