Hormonal and biochemical patterns in subjects from a new endemic goiter area in the Central African Republic

Hormonal serum patterns of 268 subjects, living in rural villages and in the chief town of the Ouham province (Bocaranga), were studied to accomplish a survey in this endemic goiter area of the Central African Republic (CAR). Circulating TSH, TT3, TT4, FT4, rT3 and TG were determined in an accurately randomized population sample. Urinary excretion of iodine and thiocyanate (SCN) was also measured. The comparison of the mean values of such parameters with control values showed statistically significant differences (P < or = 0.05 divided by 0.001) in all the parameters studied, excepting TT3. The urinary iodine excretion was lower than 35 micrograms/l in the chief town and of 25 micrograms/l in the rural villages. The thiocyanate excretion was constantly greater than 8 mg/l; the I/SCN ratio = 3.7 was clearly lower than in controls. In a sample of 41 subjects, whose hormonal patterns were in the physiological range, significant differences were found between their TT3, TT4, FT4, TSH and TG serum concentrations and the respective control values. The severe iodine deficiency and the high consumption of manioc as a staple food are the prominent etiopathogenic factors of the hyper endemic goiter in this region. The authors believe that extensive iodoprophylactic action is urgently needed.