Fetuin A as a new marker of inflammation in Hashimoto thyroiditis

Fetuin-A levels are reported to be low as a negative acute phase reactant in systemical inflammatory situations. Hashimoto thyroiditis is characterized with inflammation. In this study, we hypothesised that the serum fetuin A levels could be found to be low due to inflammation in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis. For this purpose, serum fetuin A levels in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis were compared with those in healthy subjects.

A total of 85 participants (11 male, 74 female, mean age: 38.60±10.14 years) were included. The patient group consisted of 44 Hashimoto thyroiditis patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (7 male, 37 female) and the control group consisted of 41 healthy subjects (4 male, 37 female). Groups were compared according to their demographic, anthropometric and biochemical data and serum fetuin-A levels. Correlation analysis was used for determining the relation between fetuin A levels and clinical parameters.

Fetuin-A levels of the patient group were found lower than those of the control group (0.58±0.50 g/L versus 1.53±1.60 g/L, P=0.001). Fetuin-A levels were not correlated with clinical parameters such as TSH, C-reactive protein, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, and lipids.

These findings supported the hypothesis that serum fetuin A levels could be found to be low as a negative acute phase reactant in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis. Fetuin A can be considered as an indicator of inflammation in Hashimoto thyroiditis.