Our findings demonstrate that molecular analysis of cytological specimens is feasible and that its results in combination with cytology improves the diagnostic performance of traditional cytology.

The second rhTSH-Tg was informative in patients who had first stimulated Tg detectable but not in those who had undetectable Tg at the first test, in which the only patient with recurrence was diagnosed by neck US. Thus, rhTSH-Tg should be repeated only in patients who have had a positive first rhTSH-Tg and negative imaging.

Autoimmune gastritis is an additional factor affecting l-T(4) requirement in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Serum PCA measurement should be considered in patients with an unexplained high requirement of l-T(4).

In conclusion, our study demonstrates a high, age-dependent prevalence of PCA in an unselected large population of patients with AIT.

Our study demonstrates that ghrelin secretion is negatively affected by autoimmune gastritis, and its serum level represents the most sensitive and specific noninvasive marker for selecting patients at high risk for ABG.