Die Bedeutung von Thiocyanat für die Strumaendemie in Deutschland

The goitrogenic potential of thiocyanate (SCN-) is well known since many years. Concentrations of SCN- in serum and urine which can induce enlargement of the thyroid gland and which role SCN- in pathogenesis of endemic goiter plays in Germany, are controversally discussed. Investigations of serum levels of SCN- (pyridine-barbituric-acid method) in random spot checks in 5859 normal healthy persons of different age groups and gender, were carried out in 32 german regions. The results obtained were put in relationship to the thyroid volume and thyroid structure measured by ultrasound (7,5 MHz transducer) as well as to creatinine correlated iodide excretion (cer-arsenit-method). The median SCN - serum level measured was 3.6 mg/l showing a significant lower concentration than the goitrogenic threschold value of 12-60 mg/l. Even among smokers with an increased cyanide load, the median SCN - -serum levels dig not exceed 7 mg/l Regional differences of the SCN--concentrations as well as correlations concerning thyroid volume and thyroid nodules even in subjects with marked low urinary iodide excretion (<50 μg/g creatinine, n=113) were not detected. We can conclude that thelow SCN--load measured, does not contribute to the pathogenesis of endemic goiter in Germany.