Iodine concentrations in blood and urine samples of goitre and non-goitre patients in parts of Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria

Assessment of iodine concentration in blood and urine samples is one of the major strategies in knowing the iodine levels in goitre or iodine endemic patients. Sixty two (62) blood and urine samples were collected from fifty six (56) goitre and six (6) non-goitre patients within five (5) communities (Igbogila, Egua, Sawonjo, Imoto and UNAAB) in order to determine the levels or concentrations of iodine in the blood and urine of goitre and non-goitre patients within these communities using iodometric titration method. The results show that the mean blood and urine of the goitre patients in Igbogila community range from 14.2 to 14.7 μg/l and 15.7 to 16.8 μg/l respectively while the mean blood and urine iodine levels of the goitre patients in Egua community indicate iodine concentration in the range of 11.1–11.3 μg/l and 14.3–14.7 μg/l respectively. The mean blood and urine iodine concentration of the goitre patients in Sawonjo ranges from 13.4 to 13.7 μg/l and 17.2 to 17.8 μg/l and the mean blood and urine iodine levels in Imoto range from 11.1 to 13.4 μg/l and 13.1 to 15.8 μg/l. Similarly, the mean blood and urine of the non-goitre patients in the UNAAB community (the control area) range from 122.5 to 129.0 μg/l and 137.2 to 138.8 μg/l respectively. Comparison of the obtained levels of iodine in the blood and urine samples of the goitre and non-goitre patients with the WHO recommended iodine level of > 100 μg/l in the blood and urine of non-goitre patients indicates that the goitre patients in Igbogila, Egua, Sawonjo and Imoto were severely deficient in their blood and urine iodine levels while the blood and urine iodine levels of the people in the UNAAB community were found to be adequate (i.e. no indication of iodine deficiency).

Research highlights
► Iodine concentration in blood and urine samples is indicative of the iodine levels in goitre or iodine endemic patients.
► The iodine level in 62 blood and urine samples from 56 goitre and 6 non-goitre patients in 5 communities in Nigeria was measured using iodometric titration method.
► The mean blood and urine iodine levels of the goitre patients range from 11.1 to 17.8 μg/l.
► The mean blood and urine iodine levels of the non-goitre patients range from 122.5 to 138.8 μg/l.
► Comparison with the WHO recommended iodine level of >100 μg/l indicates that the goitre patients were severely deficient in iodine levels while the non-goitre patients were not.