Thyrotropin versus age relation as an indicator of historical iodine intake.

Background: In populations with mild iodine deficiency, the serum level of thyrotropin (TSH) is negatively and the serum free thyroxine (FT4) is positively associated with age. An ongoing decrease of TSH and increase of FT4 can be found after iodine supplementation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are current differences in the relation between thyroid function and age in relation to differences in iodine intake in the past.

Clinical evaluation of changes in the morphology of eosinophils.

In order to diagnose and monitor patients with allergic diseases, we studied parameters which reflect not only the amount of eosinophils but also their state of activation. Morphologic features reveal additional information on the activity state of eosinophils. The number of nuclear lobes, cell size, amount of vacuoles and density of specific granules are considered characteristic features of eosinophils.