Urine Iodine, Estrogen, and Breast Disease

Alexander E. Poor, Bernard A. Eskin, Christine Georgiadis, Brian Hamzavi, Ari D. Brooks

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA..
Department of Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, US.
Department of Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/jct.2012.36152                

Abstract

Introduction: We sought to explore iodine status (expressed as urine iodine excretion) in a group of women with a variety of breast diseases to characterize the relationship between iodine and breast physiology. Methods: Demographic and clinical data were recorded and random urine iodine levels were checked in 415 euthyroid patients over 5 years during clinic visits. Results: Pre menopausal women excreted less iodine in their urine than post menopausal women. Post menopausal women who took hormone supplementation had an excretion level similar to pre menopausal women. Women with breast cancer excreted less iodine than those without, and iodine excretion increased after treatment with aromatase inhibitors. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that there is a relationship between estrogen status and iodine excretion in euthyroid women. This suggests that there may be a threshold for total body iodine required for prevention of breast disease.

Keywords

Breast Cancer; Iodine; Iodide; Estrogen

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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