CORRELATION OF TPO ANTIBODY CONCENTRATION WITH THYROID HORMONES AS A PREDICTOR OF CLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Immunology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland.
• Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) are key markers in autoimmune thyroid diseases.
• Understanding the relationship between TPO-Ab and thyroid hormone levels is crucial for managing CLT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between TPO-Ab levels and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) in patients with CLT.
• To assess the potential of TPO-Ab and TSH concentrations in predicting hypothyroidism development.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 85 patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis.
• Patients were categorized as euthyroid or hypothyroid based on TSH levels.
• Statistical analysis was performed to determine correlations between TPO-Ab, TSH, FT4, and FT3.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was observed between TPO-Ab and TSH concentrations in both euthyroid and hypothyroid patients.
• A significant negative correlation was found between TPO-Ab and FT4 concentrations.
• No significant correlation was reported for FT3.

Conclusions:

• Elevated TPO-Ab levels are associated with higher TSH and lower FT4 levels in CLT patients.
• TSH and TPO-Ab concentrations may serve as predictive markers for hypothyroidism risk in the general population.