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Relationships of thyroid and iron measures in large cohorts are unreported. We evaluated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (T4) in white participants of the primary care-based Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload Screening (HEIRS) Study.We measured serum TSH and free T4 in 176 HFE C282Y homozygotes without previous hemochromatosis diagnoses and in 312 controls without HFE C282Y or H63D who had normal serum iron measures and were matched to C282Y homozygotes for Field Center, age group, and initial screening date. We defined hypothyroidism as having TSH5.00 mIU/L and free T40.70 ng/dL, and hyperthyroidism as having TSH0.400 mIU/L and free T41.85 ng/dL. Multivariate analyses were performed using age, sex, Field Center, log(10) serum ferritin (SF), HFE genotype, log(10) TSH, and log(10) free T4.Prevalences of hypothyroidism in C282Y homozygotes and controls were 1.7% and 1.3%, respectively, and of hyperthyroidism 0% and 1.0%, respectively. Corresponding prevalences did not differ significantly. Correlations of log(10) SF with log(10) free T4 were positive (p = 0.2368, C282Y homozygotes; p = 0.0492, controls). Independent predictors of log(10) free T4 were log(10) TSH (negative association) and age (positive association); positive predictors of log(10) SF were age, male sex, and C282Y homozygosity. Proportions of C282Y homozygotes and controls who took medications to supplement or suppress thyroid function did not differ significantly.Prevalences of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are similar in C282Y homozygotes without previous hemochromatosis diagnoses and controls. In controls, there is a significant positive association of SF with free T4. We conclude that there is no rationale for routine measurement of TSH or free T4 levels in hemochromatosis or iron overload screening programs.

Objectives. To study heart and vascular disease in Alaskan Eskimos. To identify risk factors for CVD in Norton Sound Eskimos. Study Design. Participatory research. In this paper, procedures for selection and enrollment and providing feedback and referrals are described. Our working relationships with the Norton Sound Health Corporation (NSHC) Board, the village councils, individuals, and communities are also described. Methods. This study was conducted in the Norton Sound region of Alaska. The participants were members of Alaskan Eskimo families. Results. Procedures were formed for selecting and enrolling extended families into the study and for working with the NSHC Board, the village councils, and individual participants. The average participation was 82.6% of the age-eligible villagers in seven villages. A four-level referral system was designed. Test results were provided to participants in the form of letters, with duplicates sent to health care providers and medical records. A senior researcher returned to the village to explain the results to the participants. Conclusions. Principles of participatory research applied and developed in this study led to successful screening of 1214 Eskimos in nine villages between October 2000 and June 2004. This partnership developed into a relationship with the community, in which researchers and the communities mutually participated in the study, from the initiation of the design to the return of the data to the individuals, communities, and health care providers. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2006; 65(1):55-64.) Keywords: participatory research, CVD risk factors, Alaska Natives, Inuit, Eskimos

Dietary factors influence the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The diet of Alaskan Eskimos differs from that of other populations. We surveyed Eskimo adults in Northwest Alaska to document their usual dietary intakes, differences based on gender and age, and sources of selected nutrients, and to generate appropriate dietary advice to reduce CVD. Interviewers surveyed 850 men and women 17-92 y old, using a quantitative food-frequency instrument. We observed many significant (chi(2) analysis P0.05) differences in nutrient intakes among 3 age-groups. Energy intake from carbohydrate was negatively related to participant age-group (Por = 0.01). Energy intake from all fats (P0.001) and polyunsaturated fat (Por = 0.01) was positively related to age-group among both men and women in contrast to other studies in which age differences were either not observed or decreased with age. Native foods were major sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including 56% of (n-3) fatty acids primarily from seal oil and salmon. However, Native foods contributed significantly less to the diets of young adults than to those of elders, especially among women. Store-bought foods were the main sources of energy, carbohydrate, fat, saturated fat, and fiber for all adults. Based on their nutrient density and potential to inhibit CVD, continued consumption of traditional foods is recommended. Variations in intake by age may portend changing eating patterns that will influence CVD as participants age. These data will contribute to understanding dietary risk factors for cardiovascular disease in this population.