Thyroid Advisory Committee

Tasmania is the only Australian state that has continued to monitor the iodine nutritional status of the population through the Tasmanian Thyroid Advisory Committee. This... 

Figure 128.1 History of iodine suppiementation, surveys of chiidren, miik monitoring and iodine nutrition in Tasmania (1949-2007). After Gibson (1995) for 1949-1984, information for 1984 onwards from Thyroid Advisory Committee meeting minutes Hynes (2001), Hynes et al., (2004), and Seai et al., (2007). A summary of the history of iodine in Tasmania, inciuding pianned and unpianned supplementation programs, surveys of thyroid size and urinary iodine ieveis in chiidren, monitoring of iodine ieveis in miik, and the status of iodine nutrition using the Worid Heaith Organization definitions. The summary covers the period from 1949, when the first survey of schoolchildren was conducted, to the most recent survey of children conducted in 2007. Stewart etal., (1971) based on WHO definitions World Health Organization, (2001).

EDSTAC, Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee HPG, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal PND, postnatal day p.o., per oral (by mouth) s.c., subcutaneous T4, thyroxine TSH, thyroid stimulating hormone... 

Stoker TE, Parks LG, Gray LE, Cooper RL (2000) Endocrine-disrupting chemicals Prepubertal exposures and effects on sexual maturation and thyroid function in the male rat. A focus on the EDSTAC recommendations. Endocrine Disrupter Screening and Testing Advisory Committee. Crit Rev Toxicol, 30(2) 197-252. 

Another important group, the National IDD Advisory Committee (NIDDAC) chaired by Professor Chen Zupei, has played a crucial role in the national program. Under the leadership of the MOH, NIDDAC provides scientific and technical guidefines, standards and recommendations. It also provides evidence for poficy development (IDD Newsletter, 1998). Since 1993 NIDDAC has re-evaluated and standardized the measmement of thyroid gland size by palpation and ultrasound standardized urinary iodine testing methods. It has also evaluated the technical aspects and the application of neonatal TSH in IDD monitoring, iodine excess and excessive dietary iodine-induced goiter, and the role of iodized oil in the prevention and control of IDD and iodine-induced hyperthyroidism (Chen, 2002). 

The content and organization of the workshop were designed by ad hoc scientific, local organizing and advisory committees. It included a) state-of-the-art lectures on major aspects of thyroid physiopathology by internationally renowned experts, b) reports by national representatives of all European countries on the status of iodine nutrition in their countries, and c) free communications on current research in iodine deficiency. An important feature of this workshop was the bringing together of representatives from all countries of the European continent to confer on their experience with iodine deficiency disorders. 

---