Serum zinc levels and goitre epidemiology in Germany.

Zinc is an essential element involved in many basic biochemical reactions. Animal experiments and clinical data support the hypothesis that in the presence of inadequate iodine supply zinc deficiency may be a stimulus for the development of goitre. Within the framework of a study to record goitre prevalence and iodine supply of Germany we determined the serum zinc levels in 5932 clinically healthy persons. The mean value was 13.1 +/- 1.75 mumol/l. There were no differences neither in age, in sex nor in regional distribution. Furthermore there were no correlations between serum zinc level, thyroid volume and urinary iodide excretion. Only 1% of all cases had low zinc levels (< 10 mumol/l). Older people (> 40 years) with lowered serum zinc levels showed significantly larger thyroids. We conclude that there is no relevant undersupply of zinc and therefore the trace element is not involved in the goitre endemy of Germany.