[Personal experience in the study of thyroid autoimmunity and endocrine exophthalmos]

Most of the thyroid disorders are considered as being autoimmune diseases. It is the case for autoimmune thyroiditis where various antibodies are found. In Graves' Basedow disease, one or several immunoglobulin(s) which stimulate(s) the thyroid were found. In simple goitre, autoimmune origin is probable. We have measured the presence of anti-alpha-galactosyl antibody in various thyroid disorders. An increase titre was observed in progressive Graves' ophthalmopathy, untreated Graves' disease, progressive simple goitres and in autoimmune thyroiditis. Therefore, we think that the measure of anti-alpha-galactosyl antibodies represents reproducible parameter in order to know if the thyroid disease is or not in progression.