29 The depressed thyroidal iodine uptake rate and renal excretion rate are puzzling, and no explanation for them is available at this time. Development of Thyroid Abnormalities During the past 3 years, beginning at 9 years after exposure, a total of 18 cases of abnormalities of the thyroid gland have been detected. Nodules of the thyroid gland were found in 16 cases, and 2 cases have hypothyroidism with no nodules. All occurred in the more heavily exposed Rongelap people except for one womanin theless exposed (Ailingnae) group. A thyroid nodule was frst noted in 1963 in a 12-year-old girl in the exposed group, and in 1964 two additional cases with nodules were found in exposed girls 13 and 14 years of age.'°?* In March 1965 three additional cases in exposed people were notedin boys Table 17 Thyroid Abnormalities in Exposed Rongelap People, 1966 Subject No. and sex Present age, yr 3 M 13 Age at exposure,yr 1 Year Age, yr i965 12 Findings Hypothyroid, PBI <2 yg% March 1965; retardation of growth preceded these findings by a numberof years. 3/66 growth spurt and improved appearance on thyroxine. 5 M 17 21 13 I 1965 15 15 3 3 1963.12 196413 69 F 2M 20 M 64 F 16 4 13 l IZ. —~ hk. *_ 3 72 Fe 18 42 Fo - 15 12 196414 196512 1965 1965 41 Hypothyroid, PBI <2 ug% March 1965: retardation of growth preceded these findings by a numberof years. 3, 66 growth spurt and improved appearance on thyroxine. Adenomatous goiter; total thyroidectomy, 1964. No recurrence. Adenomatous goiter; total thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, 1964. No recurrence. Adenomatousgoiter, partial thyroidectomy, 1964. No recurrence. Adenomatousgoiter, partial thyroidectomy, 1965, No recurrence. ‘Adenomatousgoiter, partial thyroidectomy, 1965. No. Mixed papillary and fellicularcarcinoedit, total ‘hyroid&ctomy-* surgical and therapeutic radioiodine, 1908lprecurrence. 6 3, 196% 17 Three--mm noduleleft lobe. 9/66 nodule not palpable. 1965=" ~14 Poe urrence, Two-mm nodule right lower \obe$/86nodular.yilargement (“~~i¥2 X normal) entire gland; firm Semntnedule rightiobe. = ae ay #66 subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatous goiter. “* 61 ar. oe ES 40. 41 : 1965 19 1965 4s * 45° 4 | %; to 8-mm smooth noduleleft lower pole. 3/66 l-cm . 7/66 subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatousgoiter. feft o-mm neghale right lower pole. 3/66 no nodules detected. 59* F 46 34 1965 54M 13 1 1966 19 M 17 5 196617 36 M 19 7 *71966 19 Slight nodular eniargement, entire gland. |-cm nodule, not clearly demarcated,at right lower pole. Many tiny nodules over surface of gland. ae, 33 F 13 1 1966 13 9/65 questionable irregular gland. 3/66 defini & -mm nodule left lobe. 7/66 subtotal thyroidectomy: ade params goiter, Hurthle cell adenoma. 65 F 13 l 1966 13 9/65 questionable small nodule. 3/66 5-mm nodule right lobe. 7/66 right subtotal thyroidectomy: adenomatousgoiter. 13 Five-mm nodule midline. 3/66 same. 7/66 subtotal thyroitieds tomy: adenomatousgoiter. 3 Nodular enlargement (~1'2 X normal) left lobe and ist with 2-mm firm nodule. Multinodular soft enlargement entire gland (~1'’ * normal). 1cm nodule right lowerpole. *Exposed to only 69 rads whole-body radiation and presumably proportionately less thyroid dose.