Insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels of children living in an iodine- and selenium-deficient endemic goiter area

Serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels were investigated in 31 children living in an endemic goiter area and 33 healthy subjects living in an nonendemic area. Serum lGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels of iodine- and selenium deficient children were found to be lower than those of control subjects (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the IGF-I with chronological age and body mass index. There was also positive correlation between the lGF-I and IGFBP-3. No significant difference was found between the goitrous and nongoitrous children. These results suggest that IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels are affected by thyroid dysfunction as a result of iodine and selenium deficiency. However, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels are not associated with goiter.