Antithyroglobulin antibody level in vitiligo patients

ABSTRACT

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder characterized by the loss of melanocytes from the epidermis affecting 1-2% among whites, higher among blacks. Its etiology and pathogenesis are as get not completely clarified, many hypotheses have been put forward, auto immune hypotheses is one of the most accepted theories. The association with autoimmune diseases, and organ -specific autoantibodies is well known. The aim of this work is to detect the association of vitiligo with autoimmunelhyroid diseases by estimation of antithyroglobulin antibodies [anti TG], in addition to assess the thyroid function in vitiligo patients. Thirty vitiligo patients and twenty healthy volunteers were selected and after obtaining their consent, blood sample were collected for measurement of T3, T4 and anti TG levels. Results showed that antithyroglobulin antibodies were significantly increased in vitiligo patients. Also we found significant difference between vitiligo patients with progressive course and those with stationary course in T3, T4 and anti TG levels. We conclude that Autoimmunity is one of the important theories that have been put for detecting the pathagenesis of vitiligo as evidenced in this study by finding of elevated antithyrolglobulin antibody titre. There is a significant correlation between anti-TG level and progression of the disease. This means that antibodies increase in the patient serum during activity of the disease with more evidence that autoimmunity plays a major role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. So, we recommended that Thyroid function should be assessed annually in all vitiligo patients as screeJwig testes of thyroid function for early detection