Carbimazole and autoantibody synthesis in Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Serum thyroxine, thyrotrophin, and thyroid microsomal antibody levels were measured in 20 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism before, during, and after treatment with carbimazole or placebo. Thyroid microsomal antibody levels fell during treatment in the 10 patients who received carbimazole, while serum thyroxine and thyrotrophin levels did not change. There were no changes in the placebo group. The study proves support for the concept that carbimazole may act directly on autoantibody synthesising lymphocytes localised in the thyroid. Such an effect might be valuable in influencing the autoimmune process in autoimmune thyroid disease.