HLA-A, B, C and DR antigens in primary hypothyroidism

ABSTRACT

In a prospective study, HLA-ABC and DR antigens, anti-microsomal and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were studied in 38 Iranian patients with primary idiopathic" hypothyroidism. Thirty-six out of 38 patients were female and the age range was 15-70 years. Fifty-eight percent were thyroprivic and the remaining were goitrous. The frequency of HLA-B5 was increased significantly in goitrous patients [p< 0.001] versus controls. Forty-seven percent of B5-positive goitrous patients were also positive for HLA-DR5. The anti-microsomal and anti-thyroglobulin antibody titers were significantly increased in half of the patients. There were no differences between thyroprivic and goitrous patients, with respect to antibody titers. We found no correlation among HLA-B5, HLA-DR5, anti-microsomal and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. HLA-B5 and DR5 linkage may have a highly significant correlation with the development of goitrous hypothyroidism