[Antithyroid antibodies. Prevalence in primary hypothyroidism in Central Tunisia]

Thyroid microsomal (AAM) and thyroglobulin antibodies (AAT) were studied in sera of 112 patients with overt primary hypothyroidism in Central Tunisia. Thyroid antibodies were detected by an agglutination method. AAM and AAT were found respectively in 78.6% and 42%. The data confirm that there is a high prevalence of antibodies in primary hypothyroidism of short duration (AAM: 90%, AAT: 56.7%). The study reflect the prevalence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and point to the usefulness of thyroid auto-antibodies in early screening of symptomless autoimmune thyroiditis.