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Endemic goiter still occurs in several European countries. Alimentary iodine deficiency could be proved as the main cause of endemic prevalence. Extensive epidemiologic surveys showed the great medical and economical impact of this matter for the GDR. Over 200 million Marks might be spent for diagnosis and treatment of thyroid patients per year. Also in the field of veterinary medicine and animal production iodine deficiency plays an important role. Under the conditions of iodine deficiency the fodder containing nitrate and glucosinolates (e.g. bruised rape extraction) results in additional goitrogenic effects (so-called indirect or relative iodine deficiency). Due to iodine deficiency disorders considerable losses of yields in cattle, pigs and sheep occurred. The content of iodine in animal products used for human nutrition was subsequently low. Considering the ecological implication of these problems an Interdisciplinary Iodine Commission within the Society for Endocrinology and Diseases of Metabolism of the GDR was established. Together with the governement authorities it worked out corresponding recommendations for the prophylaxis and control of its efficiency. In 1986 the iodination of most of the packed salt (32 mg KIO3/kg = = 19 mg I/kg) and the administration of iodinated mineral mixtures for the animal production were started for pigs in the whole territory of GDR and for cattle in the southern counties of the GDR only. These activities have been accompanied by information of TV as well as in the newspapers and medical journals. Thus, an improved supply of iodine to the population through iodinated table salt and animal products can be taken into account. The efficiency of these prophylactic measures is controlled interdisciplinarily.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

During pregnancy the thyroid is subjected to increased demands which is associated with a tendency to endogenous iodine deficiency. Under the conditions of insufficient iodine supply in the GDR the pathophysiological changes result in: 1. prevalence of goiter in about 60% of pregnant women; 2. enlargement of the extent of neck in more than 50% of all pregnant women examined only returning to the prepregnant status in 25%-40%; 3. prevalence of goiter in newborn with 5%; 12.8% of 1948 stilborn had macroscopically an enlarged thyroid gland, the highest weight being 45 g. More than 53% of the stilborn examined by autopsy had a thyroid weight of over 3 g; 4. in contrast to the regions with sufficient iodine supply renal iodine excretion was steadily decreasing during pregnancy and post partum, changing the iodine deficiency from grade II to grade III; 5. low iodine excretion in newborn: 1.3 +/- 0.2 microgram I/day in goitrous (1.2 +/- 0.2 nmol I/mmol creatinine) 2.2 +/- 0.4 micrograms I/day in non-goitrous (2.0 +/- 0.4 nmol I/mmol creatinine); 6. according to ETR more than 50% of the pregnant examined showed a hypothyroid tendency. The pathophysiological changes during pregnancy caused by insufficient iodine supply can be met efficiently by careful thyroid hormone treatment or by the administration of 150 micrograms I daily. A mandatory iodine salt prophylaxis is demanded.