Thyroid function during pregnancy and the postpartum period: iodine metabolism and disease states.

Objective: To review various aspects of thyroid function during and early after pregnancy.

Methods: We discuss biochemical and potential pathologic changes in the thyroid associated with the gestational and postpartum periods.

Results: Urinary iodine excretion during the last trimester of gestation in healthy euthyroid women shows that, in areas with mild iodine intake, iodine supplementation is necessary during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

[Diet and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: historic and current perspectives].

A great majority of patients suffering non insulin dependent dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) can be efficiently controlled with diet, not requiring oral antidiabetic drugs or insulin. The main objective, given the tight relationship between obesity and this type of diabetes, is to decrease caloric intake as well as reducing the amount of saturated fats from the diet in an attempt to delay the onset of cardiovascular manifestations of the disease. Accumulated experience suggests that an increase in carbohydrate intake (60% of the diet) most of which should be food rich in fiber should be recommended given the proven efficacy in improving the control of in blood sugar and lipids.