EFFECT OF THIOCYANATE INGESTION THROUGH MILK ON THYROID-HORMONE HOMEOSTASIS IN WOMEN

A thyroid-hormonal evaluation of thirty-five women consuming commercia lly packed milk containing thiocyanate was carried out. The mean serum thiocyanate concentration, which was measured by the FeCl3 colour tes t, was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of control subjects. Serum thyroxine (T-4), triiodothyronine (T-3) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations of exposed women were compared with those of thirty-five control subjects. Thiocyanate ingestion was associated with lower levels of T-4 (P < 0.01) and higher levels of TSH (P < 0.0 1) compared with the control subjects. Tg was found to be higher in th e women consuming thiocyanate-containing milk but the difference was n ot significant. The serum T-4 level was found to be negatively correla ted (r -0.359, P < 0.05) while the TSH level was positively correlated (r 0.354, P < 0.05) with thiocyanate concentration in the exposed gro up. From this study, it appears that ingestion of milk with added thio cyanate impairs thyroid function.