Frequency of Abnormal Thyroid Function Tests in Kuwaiti Arabs with Autoimmune Diseases

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the frequencies of abnormal thyroid function tests and serum thyroid autoantibodies in healthy Kuwaitis and those with autoimmune diseases. Subjects and Methods: Serum concentrations of sensitive thyrotropin, and free thyroxine were measured in 577 apparently healthy controls, 177 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 60 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 25 with primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) using the immunochemiluminescent assay method on IMMULITE 1000. Serum microsomal and thyroglobulin autoantibodies were also measured by passive hemagglutination assay. For analysis of the thyroid function tests, the subjects were classified into five categories: normal, subclinical hypothyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, euthyroid sick syndrome and biochemical hyperthyroidism. Results: Subclinical hypothyroidism was seen in 1.7% of healthy controls, 10.2% of RA, 13.3% of SLE, and 16% of pSS patients. Among RA patients, the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism in females (11.4%) was significantly higher than among males (5.4%; p < 0.01). In SLE and pSS patients, all those with subclinical hypothyroidism were females. Overt hypothyroidism was seen in 1.4% of controls, 10.2% of RA, 8.3% of SLE, and 4% of pSS patients. Biochemical hyperthyroidism was seen in 0.2% of controls, 4.5% of RA, 5% of SLE and none of pSS patients. The euthyroid sick syndrome was seen in 0.4% of controls, 13.6% of RA, 16.7% of SLE and in none of pSS patients. Thyroid autoantibodies were present in 3.1% of controls, 12.4% of RA, 18.3% of SLE, and 12% of pSS patients. Conclusion: Our data show that abnormal thyroid function tests and thyroid autoantibodies occur frequently in Ku-waitis with autoimmune diseases. Therefore, ordering these tests in these diseases is recommended.

A Novel Mutation Causing Complete Thyroid Binding Globulin Deficiency (Tbg-Cd Mia) In A Male With Coexisting Graves Disease

“…Upon referral for genetic testing, TFTs were repeated in our laboratory by measuring serum total T 4 , total T 3 , free T 4 , TSH, TBG, thyroglobulin (TG), and anti-TG/TPO antibodies using solid-phase, chemiluminescent immunoassay as described previously (17). The propositus was taking MMI 5 mg/day at the time of TFTs and exhibited low total T 4 2.7 (4.5–12.5 µg/dL), total T 3 53 (81–178 ng/dL), and high free T 4 1.86 (0.89–1.76 ng/dL), and high TG 65 (1.7–55.6 ng/mL).…”

Is there a link between polycystic ovary syndrome and non-thyroidal illness syndrome?

“…The literature includes detailed reports the on relationship between NTIS and chronic illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), etc. (24,25); however, to date, no systematic analysis of NTIS in women with PCOS has been undertaken. As such, the present study aimed to investigate the frequency of NTIS in PCOS patients.…”

Autoimmune Diseases and Thyroid Dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…В ряде когорт манифестный ги-пертиреоз практически не встречается [29,30,40]. Одна-ко в нескольких работах сообщается о наличии клиниче-ски значимого гипертиреоза у 2-6% больных РА [31,32,39,41].…”

“…Польские и греческие авторы заявили о сходной час-тоте дисфункций ЩЖ при РА и в контроле [31,39], но в других исследованиях были получены статистически значимые различия [41][42][43]. Так, H.G.…”

“…[41], частота ги-по-и гипертиреоза при РА составляла соответственно 10,2 и 4,5%, а в контроле -1,4 и 0,2%. У 10,2% больных РА был диагностирован субклинический гипотиреоз.…”