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In this case-control study, 58 transfusion-dependent Thalassemic patients compared with 46 normal healthy persons on study of their thyroid size & function. In this study, thalassemia patients divided in two groups: Group one 31 patients with (Ferritin<1500) and group two 27 patients with (Ferritin>1500) and 3rd one was named control group (46 healthy persons). These groups were compared to achieve the best possible results and conclusion out of 31 patients. From first group 26 people had normal thyroid function test only 5 patients (16%) had goiter. From 27 patients in second group, 5 people (19%) had normal thyroid and 22 patients had goiter, in 3rd group 29% had normal thyroid, the difference between second and third groups were significant (P<0.01). In second group T4 level were lower than control, instead the TSH level were more than control group. The difference in second and third group were significant. The mean of T3 and T4 in group one and three don’t have significant differences. Conclusion: The goiter incidence and hypothyroidism in major Thalassemia with poor control (Ferritin>1500) are high.

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Background & Objective: No nutrient deficiency is as bad as Iodine deficiency which attributed to a broad spectrum of disorders like goiter, abortion, hypothyroidism, etc. Screening for hypothyroidism must be done before or just after pregnancy. The present study was conducted to evaluate serum TSH and urinary Iodine concentration in pregnant women in Gorgan several years after salt iodization in Iran was implemented. Materials & Methods: From December to March 2004, 97 pregnant women referred for prenatal care to the Deziani Hospital in Gorgan were selected. 2 cc of blood for serum TSH measurement and 2 cc of urine for Iodine concentration measurement were collected. Urine Iodine concentration was measured by Acid digestion and TSH concentration measured by ELISA method. Results: 97 women, 86 (89%) women had normally urinary Iodine, 11 women had Iodine deficiency, 9 women had mild Iodine deficiency (82%) and 2 women (18%) had moderate Iodine deficiency none of them had severe Iodine deficiency. Serum TSH was normal in 90 women and only in 7 women it was more than 4 and none of them had TSH less than 0.3. There were not any significant statistical correlation between age, weight, height, parity, goiter grading, salary, gestational age and urinary Iodine concentration. Conclusion: According to low prevalence of Iodine deficiency in this study Iodine programs were successful in Gorgan and the mean urinary Iodine is high so evaluating of Iodine consumption for preventing of Iodine overload is necessary. Because of complications of Iodine deficiency especially in the 1st trimester of pregnancy regular measurement of urinary Iodine must be done in reproductive ages before pregnancy or just after pregnancy.

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Background and Objective: Nightshift working has negative physical, psychological and social effects on personal life of nurses and in the long run, with subsequent health and complication. This survey was done to study the effect of sleeplessness on general health of nightshift nurses in hospitals of Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran, during 2008. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 124 subjects with suitable condition were selected through a census from among 615 nightshift working nurses in hospitals of Golestan university of medical sciences. Data were collected by delivering questionnaire and it included one questionnaire of personal information and two questionnaires about effects of sleeplessness and general health (GHQ-28). Results: Effect of sleeplessness, in the maximum percent of nurses (55.6%) were moderate and in the minimum percent (2.4%) were low. Mean±SD the sleepness rate was moderate (58±9). Also, the results of general health showed that most of them (60.6%) had favorable general health and 2.5% of subjects had unfavorable general health. There was a significant correlation between sleepness, effect and general health of nurses in addition. There was also a meningfull sleeplessness correlation between sleepness effect with age, employment history and nightschieft time table (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that sleepness, negatively, effect on general health of nightschieft nurses, it is suggested, there should a properly organized sleep time table for the nightchieft nurses.

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Background and Objective: Thyroid hormones have a key role in regulation of metabolism and function of the tissues. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of alcoholic extract of Portulaca Oleracea on serum level of thyroid hormones in hypercholestrolemic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 60 adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups including: control group with normal diet, fat diet group with high fat diet and interventional groups were received high fat diet and alcoholic extract of Portulaca Oleracea with maximum dose (800 mg/kg/bw), moderate dose (400 mg/kg/bw), minimum dose (200 mg/kg/bw) intraperitoneally for 21 days and finally, animals in atorvastatin group were received high fat diet with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/bw, intraperitoneally) for 21 days. After the end of this period, T3, T4, TSH and total cholesterol measured for each animal. Results:Serum level of T3 and T4 in the experimental groups which were received Portulaca Oleracea extract and atorvastatin group significantly increased in compared to controls (P<0.05). Serum level of TSH level significantly reduced in the experimental groups which were received Portulaca Oleracea extract and atorvastatin group in compared to controls (P<0.05). The serum total cholesterol level significantly reduced in the experimental groups which were received Portulaca Oleracea extract and atorvastatin group in compared to fat diet group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Portulaca Oleracea extract with increasing of secretion of thyroid hormone reduced the total cholesterol and TSH animals with hypercholesterolemia.