Goitre survey in Armidale and the New England region

The results of a goitre survey in school children in the New England Region are presented and compared with previous studies. Goitre incidence has fallen significantly in Tamworth but has remained unchanged in Armidale. Analyses of blood and urine showed no differnces in thyroid hormone levels, TSH, and urinary iodide in goitre and non-goitre subjects. In one group of goitre subjects prolactin levels were found to be significantly higher than those in a non-goitre group matched for sex, age and years in the district. The estimated iodine intake was well above normal requirements in all age groups studied. Sources of dietary iodine in the New England Region are outlined with special reference to milk and water. A brief review of clinical thyroid disease in Armidale is presented and reveals an unusually high incidence of both hyper- and hypo-thyroidism.