[Thyroid gland volumes of healthy adults in an area with endemic goiter]

Abstract

Thyroid volume was measured by ultrasonography in 500 healthy adults living in an area with endemic goitre: in all subjects the mean value was 13.35 ml, in males (14.94 ml) the volume was significantly greater than in females (12.09 ml). The thyroid volume was significantly correlated with age, body weight and body surface. These data are compared with the results of other investigators. The ultrasonic procedure is the only exact method for thyroid volume calculation, the palpation of thyroid gland only is less accurate.