ABSTRACT
The immune system and the endocrine system are, respectively, to defend the body against infections and to regulate physiologic activities of the body.Experimental as well as clinical evidence support the close interaction and bi-directional communication between the endocrine and immune systems. Some disorders in immune system were observed in experimental thyroid abnormalities. The aim of this study is to evaluate some immunological factors in hyperthyroid females. In this descriptive study, blood samples were collected from 50 females with hyperthyroid disease and a control group consisting of 50 sex - and age - matched euthyroid subjects. Thyroid function was assesed according to measurent of T3, T4 and TSH levels. The following parameters were studied in both groups: total and differential white blood cell counts [determined on stained-blood smear], serum concentration of immunoglobulins including: IgG, IgA, IgM [measured by SRID method] and IgE [quantitated by ELISA technique], seropositivity rates of CRP [determined by latex agglutination method], C3 and C4 complement components measured by SRID method. The mean serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE were 2312.4 +/- 584 mg/dl, 296 +/- 87 mg/dl, 118.8 +/- 28 mg/dl and 301 +/- 264 IU/ml in hyperthyroid females and were 1539 +/- 974 mg/dl, 243 +/- 116 mg/dl, 140.1 +/- 68.9 mg/dl and 109.8 +/- 115 IU/ml in euthyroid subjects, respectively. Statistical analyses showed that the mean serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgE were significantly higher in hyperthyroid group as compared to euthyroid group. The seropositive rate of CRP was 20% and 4% in hyperthyroid and euthyroid groups, respectively. The seropositive rate of CRP was also significantly higher in hyperthyroid group as compared to euthyroid group. However, IgM, C3 and C4 levels and white blood cell counts were similarly expressed in two groups. The results indicate that some immunological alterations such as elevation of serum IgG, IgA and IgE levels and higher seropositive rate of CRP occur in hyperthyroid women