Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) is a worldwide health problem. Many
   parts of the Islamic Republic of Iran had been known as areas of endemic
   goiter. IDD was accepted a priority health problem in the country , and a
   national IDD council was formed in 1989, under the supervision of the
   ministry of health and medical education. One of the main strategies of
   national council for IDD control was to provide at least 150 mg of iodine per
   day to the entire population through making available iodized salt. This
   study was performed to evaluate the national IDD council program in 1996,
   in rural and urban areas of Hamadan province. 

          1300 schoolchildren , aged 8 to 10 year, including 50% girls and 50%
   boy, were selected through random sampling. Grading of goiter was
   performed according to WHO’s classification. Serum T3, T4 and TSH were
   measured by RIA and urinary iodine by digestion method.

          The mean of serum T3, T4 and TSH were: 9.6±2.0 mg/dl , 165±3 ng/dl and
   1.7±0.7 mIu/ml respectively. There were no differences between males and
   females and schoolchildren of rural or urban areas. Six person had serum T4
   more than 12.5  mg/dl. The mean of urinary iodine was 36 mg/dl in entire
   population, 89% had urinary iodine more than 10 mg/dl. Only 4% had urinary
   iodine less than 5 mg/dl. Total prevalence of goiter was 86% (91% in girls and
   78% in boys).

          Based on the available data , seven years after generalized use of
   iodized salt and 2 years after that more than 50% of population used iodized
   salt , urinary iodine excretion is in acceptable limit. However goiter is still
   hyperendemic in Hamadan province.