Correlation of thyroid antibodies with TSH, T[3] and T[4] hormones in patients diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disorders

ABSTRACT

The serum concentrations of anti-thyroid peroxidase [anti-TPO] and anti-thyroglobulin [anti-TG] antibodies are directly correlate in the induction and diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disorders [AITDs]. Therefore, the evaluation of serum anti-TPO and anti-TG antibodies in relation to thyroid function test parameters including thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH], triiodothyronine [T[3]], and thyroxine [T[4]]. This evaluation would be helpful in early diagnosis of abnormal thyroid function and associated autoimmune thyroid diseases. In this cross-sectional study, the serum anti- TPO, anti-TG, T[3], T[4] and TSH levels of 311 suspected patients of autoimmune thyroid disorders and 40 control subjects were evaluated. The data were presented as mean, +/- standard deviations of the mean. Pearson correlation and chi-square tests were used to assess the correlation coefficients and significance in the contingency tables. The thyroid function test parameters in normal and AITDs suspected patients were significantly different in correlation to elevated serum levels of anti-TPO antibody. A significant association was detected between female gender and elevated levels of anti-TPO [P value = 0.047]. A higher percentage of women showed elevated levels of anti-TG, but it was not statistically significant [P value= 0.107]. The findings of the study reveal a strong correlation between thyroid function test and thyroid antibodies levels, elaborating the clinical importance of thyroid antibodies in clinical examination and follow-up of patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders