Evaluation of thyroid autoantibodies in type 2 diabetes

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease are the two common endocrinopathies seen in adult population. Studies to evaluate thyroid disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity in type 2 diabetic patients with age and sex matched non-diabetic control group. Among patients referred to Yazd Diabetes Research Center, 2792 type 2 diabetic patients were recruited. Clinical examination were carried out and samples for thyroid function test were obtained including thyroxin [T4], triiodothyronine [T3], Thyroid Stimulating Hormone [TSH], T3 Resin Uptake [T3RU], thyroid peroxidase antibodies [TPO-Ab] and thyroglobulin antibodies [TG-Ab]. They were compared with 4844 non-diabetic, age and sex matched control subjects. Our findings showed that the levels of thyroid hormone were not significantly different from levels in non-diabetic controls [P<0.05]. Positive TPO antibody was found in 1032 type 2 diabetic patients [36.9%] versus 1802 [37.2%] in control group [P=0.8]. Positive both thyroid antibodies, TPO antibody and TG antibody were found in 314 diabetic patients; [11.2%] versus 516 [10.8%] in controls [P=0.54]. Our findings indicate that the frequency of thyroid autoimmunity is not significantly higher in type 2 diabetic patients than in non-diabetic control group