This cross-sectional clinic study compared serum selenium, zinc and copper between adults with euthyroid nodular goiter and healthy controls in central Turkey. Selenium and zinc were lower in the goiter group, but serum copper was nearly identical in the two groups. Copper did not correlate with thyroid hormone levels or thyroid volume.
Key numbers
- Serum copper, mean ± SD: 1293.75 ± 249.33 µg/L in 98 patients with nodular goiter versus 1306.56 ± 258.53 µg/L in 83 controls (p = 0.833) (Table 1, p. 3).
- Serum copper correlated with BMI (r = 0.29, p < 0.01), selenium (r = 0.396) and zinc (r = 0.155) (Results, p. 3).
- Copper did not differ between patients with high and normal thyroid volume (p = 0.746) or between solitary and multiple nodules (p = 0.828) (Results, p. 3).
Methods (brief)
Fasting venous serum was microwave-digested in nitric acid and analyzed by ICP-MS (calibration 0.5 to 1000 µg/L), with method validation against Seronorm Trace Elements Whole Blood L-2 reference material (RSD not above 5%). Participants taking trace-element supplements were excluded. The study was funded by a university research project fund.
Evidence fitness
Supports serum copper values in adults from central Turkey and the finding that copper was not altered in euthyroid nodular goiter. It does not measure dietary copper and does not address copper toxicity.
Limitations
Single-center, cross-sectional and relatively small, with controls younger than patients (37.5 versus 44.5 years). The authors acknowledge that the design cannot establish cause and effect.
Related evidence
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