Evaluation of the structure, autoimmunity, and functions of the thyroid gland in familial Mediterranean fever patients

ABSTRACT Objective Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disorder that is frequently seen in the eastern Mediterranean region. The thyroid gland can be affected in FMF patients through autoimmunity or amyloidosis. Here, we aimed to evaluate the structure and functions of the thyroid gland in addition to possible autoimmunity in FMF patients. Subjects and methods The study was conducted by the Endocrinology and Metabolism and Internal Medicine Departments. Thirty FMF patients and 30 age and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Free thyroxin (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) autoantibodies were investigated. Detailed thyroid grayscale and Doppler Ultrasonography examinations and shear-wave elastosonography (SWE) were performed in the patient and control groups. Results Anti-TPO was detected in 24% (n = 7) of the patients. On the grayscale US, mean thyroid volumes were similar between the FMF and the control groups (p > 0.05). By Doppler US, thyroid vascularity observed was detected in 10.3% (n = 3) of the patients. SWE revealed that the mean velocity value of right vs. left lobe in the patient group was 1.77 ± 0.45 m/s and 1.95 ± 0.51 m/s, respectively. Compared to the control group, the mean velocity values were significantly higher in the right (p = 0.004) and left (p = 0.01) lobes of the patient group. The mean stiffness value in the patient group was also significantly higher in the right and left lobes [10.13 ± 5.65 kPa (p = 0.005) and 12.24 ± 6.17 kPa (p = 0.02), respectively]. Conclusion Recognizing the complications of FMF early in the course of the disease is as important as the early diagnosis of the disorder. Based on this, thyroid functions and changes in its structure should be evaluated carefully for early diagnosis of a possible coexisting thyroid disorder. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2020;64(1):66-70

Prevalence of antithyroperoxidase antibodies in a multiethnic Brazilian population: The ELSA-Brasil Study

ABSTRACT Objective In this study, we aimed to describe the prevalence and distribution of positive antithyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) according to sex, age strata, and presence of thyroid dysfunction using baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Materials and methods Thyroid hormone tests were obtained from each study participant at baseline. Levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured using a third-generation immunoenzymatic assay. Antithyroperoxidase antibodies were measured by electrochemiluminescence and were considered to be positive when ≥ 34 IU/mL. Results The prevalence of TPOAb among 13,503 study participants was 12%. Of participants with positive TPOAb, 69% were women. Almost 60% of the individuals with positive TPOAb were white. The presence of positive TPOAb was associated with the entire spectrum of thyroid diseases among women, but only with overt hyperthyroidism and overt hypothyroidism in men. Conclusion The distribution of positive TPOAb across sex, race, age, and thyroid function in the ELSA-Brasil study is aligned with the worldwide prevalence of positive TPOAb reported in iodine-sufficient areas. In women, the presence of TPOAb was related to the entire spectrum of thyroid dysfunction, while in men, it was only related to the occurrence of overt thyroid disease.

Exercise training improves quality of life in women with subclinical hypothyroidism: a randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim was to evaluate the quality of life (HRQoL) in women with subclinical hypothyroidism (sHT) after 16 weeks of endurance training. Subjects and methods: In the first phase, a cross-sectional study was conducted in which 22 women with sHT (median age: 41.5 (interquartile range: 175) years, body mass index: 26.2 (8.7) kg/m2, thyroid stimulating hormone > 4.94 mIU/L and free thyroxine between 0.8 and 1.3 ng/dL were compared to a group of 33 euthyroid women concerned to HRQoL. In the second phase, a randomized clinical trial was conducted where only women with sHT were randomly divided into two groups: sHT-Tr (n = 10) - participants that performed an exercise program - and sHT-Sed (n = 10) - controls. Exercise training consisted of 60 minutes of aerobic activities (bike and treadmill), three times a week, for 16 weeks. The HRQoL was assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire in the early and at the end of four months. Results: Women with sHT had lower scores on functional capacity domain in relation to the euthyroid ones (770 ± 23.0 vs. 88.8 ± 14.6; p = 0.020). The sHT-Tr group improved functional capacity, general health, emotional aspects, mental and physical component of HRQoL after training period, while the sHT-Sed group showed no significant changes. Conclusion: After 16 weeks of aerobic exercise training, there were remarkable improvements in HRQoL in women with sHT.

Recent recommendations from ATA guidelines to define the upper reference range for serum TSH in the first trimester match reference ranges for pregnant women in Rio de Janeiro

ABSTRACT Objectives: American Thyroid Association (ATA)'s new guidelines recommend use of population-based trimester-specific reference range (RR) for thyrotropin (TSH) in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine first trimester TSH RR for a population of pregnant women in Rio de Janeiro State. Subjects and methods: Two hundred and seventy pregnant women without thyroid illness, defined by National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry, and normal iodine status were included in this sectional study. This reference group (RG) had normal median urinary iodine concentration (UIC = 219 μg/L) and negative anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb). Twin pregnancy, trophoblastic disease and use of drugs or supplements that influence thyroid function were excluded. In a second step, we defined a more selective reference group (SRG, n = 170) by excluding patients with thyroiditis pattern on thyroid ultrasound and positive anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. This group also had normal median UIC. At a final step, a more selective reference group (MSRG, n = 130) was defined by excluding any pregnant women with UIC < 150 μg/L. Results: In the RG, median, 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of TSH were 1.3, 0.1, and 4.4 mIU/L, respectively. The mean age was 270 ± 5.0 and the mean body mass index was 25.6 ± 5.2 kg/m2. In the SRG and MSRG, 2.5th and 975th percentiles were 0.06 and 4.0 (SRG) and 0.1 and 3.6 mIU/L (MSRG), respectively. Conclusions: In the population studied,TSH upper limit in the first trimester of pregnancy was above 2.5 mIU/L. The value of 3.6 mIU/L, found when iodine deficiency and thyroiditis (defined by antibodies and ultrasound characteristics) were excluded, matches recent ATA guidelines.

Prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with systematic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Thyroid autoimmunity is more common in patients with rheumatic diseases than in healthy populations. The degree of association seems subject to influence from patients' geographical location. Here, we aimed to ascertain the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in a cohort of patients with systemic rheumatic disease and the degree of association between its presence and inflammatory activity. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional observational study in a rheumatology unit. METHODS: 301 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 210 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 58 with scleroderma (SSc) and 80 with spondyloarthritis (SpA) were studied regarding thyroid function (TSH and T4), anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb) and anti-thyroperoxidase (TPOab) and compared with 141 healthy controls. Disease activity in patients with rheumatic disease was assessed through appropriate indexes. RESULTS: There were more antithyroid antibodies in SLE patients with hypothyroidism (P = 0.01; odds ratio, OR 2.7; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.20-6.26) and in those without hypothyroidism (P = 0.06; OR 2.4; 95% CI: 1.28-4.55) than in controls. SSc patients also showed: P = 0.03 both with antithyroid antibodies and hypothyroidism (OR 3.4; 95% CI: 1.06-10.80) and without hypothyroidism (OR 3.1; 95% CI: 1.11-0.13). RA and SpA patients had the same prevalence as controls (P not significant). Presence of autoantibodies with and without hypothyroidism was not associated with the activity or functional indexes evaluated. CONCLUSION: SLE and SSc were associated with higher prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with and without hypothyroidism, unlike SpA and RA. There was no link between thyroid autoantibody presence and disease activity or functional impairment.

Association between the clinical severity of oral lichen planus and anti-TPO level in thyroid patients

Abstract This study considered a possible relationship between the severity of oral lichen planus (OLP), serum anti-TPO autoantibodies (TPOAb) titer and thyroid disease in OLP patients. Forty-six OLP patients with positive TPOAb results (> 35 IU/ml) who had also been diagnosed with thyroid disease were included in the study group. The control group consisted of 46OLP patients with no thyroid disease. The study and control groups (92) were divided to two subgroups of erosive OLP (EOLP) and non-erosive OLP (NEOLP). Serum TPOAb levels and IL-8 (to measure OLP severity) were evaluated using the independent t-test, chi-square and conditional logistic regression analysis (α = 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between serum IL-8 and TPOAb levels in the study group (r = 0.783; p = 0.001). The positive blood levels of TPOAb were significantly associated with an increased risk of EOLP (OR = 4.02 at 95%CI; 1.21–13.4; p = 0.023). It is possible to used positive serum TPOAb levels in patients with OLP as in indicator of possible undetected thyroid disorders in those patients. Because erosive OLP has been associated with TPOAb in thyroid patients, it may be useful to determine TPOAb levels of such patients to diagnose a possible undetected thyroid disorders and follow-up for malignancy.

Hypovitaminosis D in Children with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis / Hipovitaminosis D en niños con tiroiditis de Hashimoto

Background: Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune diseases. Aim: To measure vitamin D levels in children with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) (either with subclinical or marked hypothyroidism) and in healthy controls. Material and Methods: We included 68 children with HT aged 12 ± 4 years (39 females) from a pediatric outpatient clinic and 68 healthy children aged 10 ± 4 years (37 females). Calcium metabolism parameters, thyroid function tests and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) and 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels were measured. Results: Patients were older than controls but well matched by gender distribution. Mean 25OHD levels were significantly lower in HT patients than controls (16.8 ± 9.3 and 24.1 ± 9.4 ng/mL respectively, P < 0.01). Frequency of vitamin D deficiency was 76 and 35% in HT patients and controls, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is more common in children with HT than healthy controls.

Antecedentes: La deficiencia o insuficiencia de vitamina D puede tener un rol en la patogenia de enfermedades autoinmunes. Objetivo: Medir niveles de vitamina D en niños con tiroiditis de Hashimoto (TH) (con hipotiroidismo subclínico o marcado) y en controles sanos. Material y Métodos: Estudiamos 68 niños con TH, de 12 ± 4 años (39 mujeres) y 68 controles sanos de 10 ± 4 años (37 mujeres). Se les midió parámetros de metabolismo de calcio, pruebas de función tiroidea, anticuerpos anti peroxidasa y anti tiroglobulina y 25 hidroxi vitamina D (25 OH vit D). Resultados: Los pacientes eran mayores que los controles pero la distribución por género era homogénea en ambos grupos. Los niveles de 25 OH vit D en pacientes y controles fueron 16,8 ± 9,3 y 24,1 ± 9,4 ng/mL respectivamente, p < 0,01. La frecuencia de deficiencia de vitamina D fue de 76 y 35% en pacientes y controles, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La deficiencia de vitamina D es más común en niños con TH.

Thyroid disorders are common in first-degree relatives of individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Objective Thyroid diseases are common in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and should be investigated annually in these individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of thyroid diseases in first degree relatives (FDR) of patients with T1DM. Subjects and methods Eighty individuals (40 patients with T1DM and 40 FDR) were interviewed and blood was sampled for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies measurement. Autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65), islet antigen-2 (IA2) and autoantibodies against insulin (AAI) were measured in FDR. Results We found a similar prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in patients with T1DM and their FDR (22.5% vs. 27.5%; p = 0,79). There were no differences in serum TSH levels (p = 0.29), FT4 (p = 0,45), frequency of abnormal TSH (p = 0.28), positive TPO antibodies (p = 0.13), titers of TPO antibodies (in positive cases) between patients with T1DM and their FDR (p = 0.94). Conclusions Thyroid abnormalities seem to be common not only in patients with T1DM but also in their FDR, which suggests that screening strategies for thyroid diseases might also be useful to these individuals. .

Serum Specific IgE to Thyroid Peroxidase Activates Basophils in Aspirin Intolerant Urticaria

Thyroid antibodies are frequently observed in urticaria patients, but their roles in urticaria are not clearly elucidated. We investigated the role of serum specific IgE to thyroid peroxidase (TPO) in patients with aspirin intolerant acute urticaria (AIAU) and aspirin intolerant chronic urticaria (AICU). We recruited 59 AIAU and 96 AICU patients with 69 normal controls (NC). Serum specific IgE to TPO was measured by manual direct ELISA, and CD203c expressions on basophil with additions of TPO were measured to prove a direct role of TPO in effector cells. The prevalences of serum specific IgE to TPO were significantly higher in AIAU (15.2%) and AICU groups (7.5%) compared to NC (0%, P=0.018: P=0.013, respectively). Flow cytometry showed CD203c induction in a dose dependent manner with serial additions of TPO in some AIAU and AICU patients having high specific IgE to TPO. Our findings show that the prevalence of serum specific IgE to TPO was significantly higher in both AIAU and AICU patients than in NC. It is suggested that specific IgE to TPO play a pathogenic role in AIAU and AICU.

Prevalence of thyroid diseases in patients with acromegaly: experience of a Brazilian center / Prevalência das doenças tireoidianas em pacientes com acromegalia: experiência de um centro brasileiro

OBJECTIVES: Acromegaly is frequently associated with thyroid diseases. In this study, we evaluated the frequency of thyroid disorders in a series of acromegalic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 106 acromegalic patients using thyroid ultrasonography (US) and measurements of GH, IGF-I, free T4, TSH and anti-thyroperoxidase antibody levels. IGF-I was expressed in mass units and age-related standard deviation scores (SD-scores). Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was performed on thyroid nodules with a diameter greater than one centimeter or with suspicious characteristics. RESULTS: Thyroid disorders were found in 75 patients. Eleven patients had diffuse goiter, 42 patients had nodular goiter, and 22 patients had unspecific morphological abnormalities. Four patients (3.8%) had thyroid carcinoma. Considering the patients with diffuse or nodular goiter, thyroid volume was greater in patients with active acromegaly, and was positively correlated with GH, IGF-I, and IGF-I SD-score. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed that benign thyroid diseases are frequent in acromegalic patients. The prevalence of thyroid cancer was higher than in the overall population. We suggest that thyroid US should be routinely performed in patients with acromegaly.

OBJETIVOS: Acromegalia está frequentemente associada a doenças tireoidianas. Neste estudo, avaliamos a presença de tireoidopatias em uma série de pacientes acromegálicos. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 106 pacientes por ultrassonografia (US) e dosagens de GH, IGF-1, T4 livre, TSH e anticorpo antitireoperoxidase. O IGF-I foi expresso em unidades de massa e desvio-padrão (DP-IGF-I). Punção aspirativa por agulha fina (PAAF) foi realizada quando os nódulos eram maiores que um centímetro ou tinham características suspeitas. RESULTADOS: Alterações tireoidianas foram encontradas em 75 pacientes. Onze apresentavam bócio difuso, 42, bócio nodular e 22, alterações morfológicas inespecíficas. Houve quatro casos (3,8%) de câncer diferenciado de tireoide. Considerando os pacientes com bócio difuso ou nodular, o volume tireoidiano foi maior naqueles com acromegalia em atividade e correlacionou-se positivamente com os níveis de GH, IGF-1 e DP-IGF-1. CONCLUSÕES: Nosso estudo confirmou que as doenças tireoidianas benignas são frequentes nos pacientes acromegálicos. A prevalência de câncer diferenciado de tireoide foi maior que na população geral. Sugerimos que US de tireoide seja realizado rotineiramente nos pacientes com acromegalia.

Association between helicobacter pylori infection and autoimmune hypothyroidism in Egyptian population

Autoimmune hypothyroidism commonly affecting females is one of the commonest causes of thyroid disease in adults. Among the various autoantibody tests applied in research and clinical practice, the determination of thyroid microsomal antibodies [TPO] and thyroglobulin antibodies [TG Ab] still retains its strong value in the screening for thyroid autoimmunity. Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] infection plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, MALT [Mucosa Associated lymphocyte T] Lymphoma and gastric cancer. The aim of this work was to study the relationship between H.pylori infection and autoimmune hypothyroidism in Egyptian population. This study was carried out on 147 Egyptian persons divided into 3 groups: Hypothyroid Group: Included 49 patients with autoimmune hypothyroidsm and positive antithyroid antibodies with no history of dyspeptic symptoms or peptic ulcer. H.pylori positive Group: Included 50 patients with dyspeptic symptoms or peptic ulcer with H.pylori positive antibodies with no history of any thyroid disease. Control Group: Included 48 apparently healthy persons serving as control. Serum Free T3, Free T4 and TSH were done for all subjects together with Antimicrosomal antibodies [TPO-Ab], Antithyroglobulin antibodies [TG-Ab] and Helicobacter Pylori antibodies [H. pylori Ab]. There was no significant difference between all groups as regards age. Also there was significant difference between Hypothyroid and H.pylori positive groups as regarding TSH and Free T3, TG-Ab, TPO-Ab and H. pylori Ab. There is also significant difference between Hypothyroid and control groups regarding TSH, free T3, TG-Ab, TPO-Ab, and H. pylori Ab. There is significant difference between H.pylori positive and control groups regarding FT3 and H. pylori AB. Hypothyroid Group was divided according to the presence of H. pylori Ab into ve and +ve H. pylori Ab subgroups. There was significant difference between the ve and +ve subgroups as regard TSH, free T4 and TG-Ab. H.pylori positive Group was divided according to the presence of TG Ab and TPO Ab into-ve and +ve subgroups. There was significant difference between the -ve and +ve cases in TSH, free T45 Free T3, and H.Pylori Antibody. Positive correlation was found between H pylori Ab titer and age, TSH, TG-Ab and TPO-Ab titers. There was also negative correlation between H. pylori Ab titer and free T4. There is no correlation between H. pylori Ab titer and free T3. [Correlation is referred to all subjects of the study = 147]. This study revealed that patients with positive TG and TPO antibodies, showed [+ve] H. pylori Ab, with significant high titer in their sera, The patients with positive H. Pylori Ab showed high serum titer of TG-Ab. In our study H. pylori-Ab correlates to thyroid function tests and thyroid antibodies

High prevalence of thyroid disorders in relatives of patients with familial papillary thyroid cancer / Elevada prevalencia de alteraciones tiroideas en familiares de pacientes con diagnóstico de carcinoma papilar familiar

In the familial form of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), two or more members of the same family have to be affected with PTC. Prevalence is around 5% of all PTC. We performed a clinical analysis in 79 relatives of 16 patients of 7 unrelated kindred with the diagnosis of familial papillary thyroid carcinoma (FPTC). The results were compared with a control group. Thyroid palpation and TSH and TPO-Ab assessment was carried out in the relatives without a diagnosed PTC. Additionally, molecular analysis was performed in the sixteen affected patients. Clinical screening of the 79 family members showed the presence of goiter in 22/79 (29 %). This frequency was much higher than that observed in the control group (8.7%), p < 0.001. Hypothyroidism was found in 4 of the relatives (5%) vs. 2.5% observed in the control group, p < 0.01, and anti-thyroid antibodies (TPO-Ab) were positive in 14% of the relative's group vs. 10 % in the control group, (p = NS). In the molecular analysis, only a protooncogene TRK rearrangement was observed in family # 6. In conclusion, we found a higher incidence of goiter and hypothyroidism in the relatives of patients with FPTC. Nevertheless, TPO-Ab frequency was not different. No molecular abnormalities were indicative of a specific pattern in this subset of patients with FPTC.

En la forma familiar del carcinoma papilar de tiroides (CPT), dos o más miembros de la misma familia deben presentar CPT. Esta entidad ocurre en aproximadamente el 5% de todos los CPT. En este estudio, realizamos una evaluación de 79 familiares de 16 pacientes con diagnóstico de carcinoma papilar familiar (CPF) provenientes de 7 familias diferentes. Los resultados se compararon con los hallados en un grupo control. Se realizó palpación tiroidea y medición de TSH y anticuerpos anti-tiroperoxidasa (TPO-Ab) en todos los familiares. Además, se llevó a cabo el análisis molecular en los 16 sujetos que presentaban el diagnóstico de CPF. La evaluación de los 79 familiares de estos pacientes demostró la presencia de bocio en 22/79 (29%). Esta frecuencia fue mucho mayor que la observada en el grupo control (8.7%), p < 0.001. Se diagnosticó hipotirodismo en 4 familiares (5%) vs. 2.5%, observado en el grupo control, p < 0.01, y los TPO-Ab fueron positivos en 14% de los familiares vs. 10% del grupo control, (p = ns). En el análisis molecular, solamente se halló un rearreglo del protoncogen TRK en una de las 7 familias con CPF. En conclusión, hallamos una elevada prevalencia de bocio e hipotiroidismo en los familiares de pacientes con CPT. Sin embargo, la frecuencia de autoinmunidad no fue diferente. No se hallaron alteraciones moleculares distintivas en estos pacientes con CPF.

Valores normales de captación de 131Yodo de 2 y 24 horas / Normal 131Iodine uptake values at 2 ano 24 hours

Background: Radiolabeled iodine uptake is a useful tool in the study of thyroid diseases. Aim: To obtain normal values for 131 Iodine thyroid uptake in healthy volunteers. Material and methods: A total of 105 subjects were included (52 males and 53 females), with a mean age of 45 years (range: 20 to 68, evenly distributed in decades). A questionnaire was applied and a clinical examination was performed to rule out endocrine diseases. Serum TSH and anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies were also measured. The oral 131I dose was 5-10 fiCi, and a Thyrad equipment was used for measurements at 2 and 24 h. Results: Mean global iodine uptake was 5.5 percent±1.8 percent (range: 2.3-12.0) at 2 h and 16.2±4.8 percent (range: 6.5-30.1) at 24 h. The values at 2 h among women and men were 6.0±1.8 and 4.9±1.6 percent, respectively, (p <0.02). At 24 h, the figures were 17.3±4.5 and 15.0±4.9 percent, respectively (p =0.01). Compared to their younger counterparts, radioactive iodine uptake was lower among volunteers older than 40 years, at 2 h (5.0±1.7 and 6.0±1.8, respectively, p <0.02) and at 24 h (14.9±4.4 and 17.6±4.9 percent, respectively, p <0.01). Conclusions: Normal thyroid uptake values in adults are influenced bygender and age. Normal thyroid iodine uptake values are slightly higher in females. Iodine thyroid uptake values decrease slightly in subjects aged more than 40years.

Abuso de esteróides anabolizantes e seu impacto sobre a função tireóidea: [revisão] / Abuse of anabolic steroids and its impact on thyroid function: [review]

A utilização de esteróides anabolizantes por indivíduos que desejam aumentar sua performance física, ou simplesmente para fins estéticos, tem atingido índices alarmantes nas últimas três décadas. Além dos efeitos desejados, uma infinidade de efeitos colaterais já foi bem descrita na literatura, como vários tipos de câncer, ginecomastia, peliosis hepatis, insuficiência renal, virilização, dentre outros. Sobre a função tireóidea, o efeito mais pronunciado em seres humanos é a diminuição da TBG, com conseqüente diminuição sérica de T3 e T4 totais, dependendo, porém, da susceptibilidade da molécula à aromatização e conseqüente transformação em estrógeno. Em ratos, o tratamento com esteróides anabolizantes altera a metabolização periférica dos hormônios tireóideos e também parece causar importante efeito proliferativo sobre as células tireóideas. Assim, o presente artigo visa rever os dados publicados acerca dos efeitos de doses suprafisiológicas de esteróides anabolizantes sobre a função tireóidea, reforçando o perigo que a utilização indiscriminada dessas drogas pode causar à saúde.

The use of anabolic steroids to increase physical performance and for aesthetic ends has reached alarming indices in the last three decades. Besides the desired actions, several collateral effects have been described in the literature, such as the development of some types of cancer, ginecomasty, peliosis hepatis, renal insufficiency, virilization, amongst others. The most proeminent effect on human thyroid function is the reduction of thyroxine binding globulin (TBG), with consequent reductions of total serum T3 and T4, depending however on the susceptibility of the drug to aromatization and subsequent transformation into estrogen. In rats, anabolic steroids also act in the peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones and seem to exert an important proliferative effect on thyroid cells. Thus, the aim of the present paper is to review data on the effect of supraphysiological doses of anabolic steroids on thyroid function, showing the danger that indiscriminate use of these drugs can cause to health.

Avaliação clínica e de sintomas psiquiátricos no hipotireoidismo subclínico / Evaluation of clinical and psychiatric symptoms in sub clinical hypothyroidism

OBJETIVO: Analisar e correlacionar características clínicas, sintomas psiquiátricos e dados laboratoriais no hipotireoidismo subclínico (HS). MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal comparando achados de 103 pacientes com HS aos de 60 indivíduos eutireoidianos. A avaliação clínica e a psiquiátrica foram baseadas, respectivamente, na escala de Zulewski e nos questionários de Hamilton A, Hamilton D e Beck. Todos foram submetidos a dosagens de tireotropina (TSH), T4 livre e antitireoperoxidase (ATPO). Variáveis contínuas foram analisadas por meio do teste t de Student, quando de distribuição normal, e dos testes de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal Wallis, quando "não normais". Variáveis categóricas por meio dos testes Qui-quadrado, exato de Fisher e Kruskal Wallis. Análise multivariada foi utilizada para estudo de variáveis de confundimento. RESULTADOS: O nível médio de TSH, no HS, foi 7,76 ± 2,9 æUI/mL e 1,66 ± 0,6 æUI/mL nos eutireoideanos (p=0,001). O nível de T4L foi menor no HS, apresentando correlação linear negativa com TSH. Ocorreu maior freqüência de escore clínico anormal (48,3 vs 67 por cento; p=0,020), de sintomas de depressão, pela escala de Beck no HS (20,5 vs 44,2 por cento; p=0,011) e de sintomas de ansiedade (86 vs 63,4 por cento; p=0,004) no HS. A presença de sintomas de depressão e ansiedade associou-se de forma positiva com pontuação no escore clínico e níveis de TSH. Não houve associação entre achados clínicos ou psiquiátricos e etiologia do HS, presença de ATPO, idade ou menopausa. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo aponta para associação entre HS, achados clínicos e sintomas psiquiátricos. Ensaios clínicos são necessários para avaliar uma possível melhora com levotiroxina.

Urticaria cronica con alteraciones de la funcion tiroidea y anticuerpos antiperoxidasa tiroidea / Chronic urticaria with alterations of the thyroid function and thyroid peroxidase antibodies

La urticaria crónica es una enfermedad frecuente, caracterizada por la presencia de ronchas y/o angioedema con una duración superior a las 6 semanas. En un número importante de pacientes se comporta como una enfermedad autoinmune asociada frecuentemente con alteraciones en la función tiroidea y com la presencia de anticuerpos antitiroideos. Presentamos una serie de 70 pacientes consecutivos con diagnóstico de urticaria crónica a los cuales les investigamos la función tiroidea y la presencia de anticuerpos antiperoxidasa tiroidea. Siete (10%) tenían diagnóstico de enfermedad tiroidea previa al momento de la consulta. A los 63 pacientes restantes se les estudió los niveles de tirotrofina sérica, 11 de los cuales (17%) presentaron valores anormales, que sumados a los 7 con enfermedad previa llegan a 18 (26%) con función tiroidea alterada. A 61 pacientes se les investigo anticuerpos antiperoxidasa tiroidea, 22 (36%) fueron positivos. De 57 pacientes sin diagnóstico de patología tiroidea previa al momento de la consulta por urticaria, a los que se les estudió tanto los niveles de tirotrofina sérica como la presencia de anticuerpos antiperoxidasa tiroidea, 24 (42%) presentaron alguno de los estudios alterados. El alto porcentaje de alteraciones tiroideas en nuestra serie de pacientes resalta la necesidad de estudiar la función tiroidea y la presencia de anticuerpos antiperoxidasa tiroidea en pacientes con urticaria crónica.

Estudo longitudinal do eixo hipófise-tireóide durante a gravidez / Longitudinal study of pituitary-thyroid axis in pregnancy

A tireóide sofre importantes modificações durante a gravidez. Visando mostrar as modificações no eixo hipófise-tireóide ao longo deste período, estudamos a função tireoidiana de 587 mulheres, com dosagens de TSH, T4 livre, anti-TPO, betahCG no 1°. trimestre e TSH, T4 livre e anti-TPO no 2°. e 3°. trimestres. Observamos aumento progressivo do TSH no 2°. (média: 2,14mU/L) e 3°. (média: 2,76mU/L) trimestres, em relação ao 1°. (média: 1,39mU/L). No grupo com TSH abaixo do valor de referência (0,4mU/L) no 1°. trimestre, a média de bhCG foi de 129.200UI/L, enquanto no grupo que apresentou níveis normais de TSH, a média foi de 34.200UI/L. Observamos, também, uma ligeira diminuição do T4 livre no 2°. e 3°. trimestres em relação ao 1°. (médias: 1°: 1,15; 2°: 0,99; 3°: 0,94ng/dl). A presença de anti-TPO positivo ocorreu em 13,9 por cento das mulheres. Não foram observadas alterações significativas nos valores médios de TSH e T4 livres naquelas com ou sem auto-imunidade. Entretanto, proporções significativamente maiores de gestantes apresentaram valores hormonais fora da faixa da normalidade em todos os trimestres da gestação. Concluímos que a função tireoidiana é afetada pela gravidez, com tendência ao declínio durante seu progresso, sendo este fenômeno mais marcante no grupo de gestantes anti-TPO positivas.

Adverse effects of mercuric chloride on thyroid of mice, Musculus albinus and pattern of recovery of the damaged activity.

The protective role of "essentiale phospholipids" (EPL) on mercury induced thyroid dysfunction with special reference to cholesterol, thyroid peroxidase and thyroxine activity in mice were investigated. The animals were treated with 0.5 ml/day of 0.5 ppm aqueous mercuric chloride for a period of 7, 14 and 21 days. For the recovery 175 mg of EPL was given to mice (already treated with HgCl2) for a period of 7, 14 and 21 days. Daily treatment of HgCl2 for 7, 14 and 21 days decreased serum cholesterol, TPO and T4 activity. Simultaneous administration of EPL (25 mg/mice) restored thyroid function in mice by maintaining serum thyroid hormone concentration almost normal. It increased serum cholesterol, TPO and T4 activity. It appears that the protective effect of EPL against HgCl2 induced thyroid dysfunction is mediated through its antioxidative action.