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Thyroid function and polyamines. III. Changes in ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine contents in the rat thyroid during hyperplasia and involution.

Changes in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and in polyamine contents of the rat thyroid were studied under various experimental conditions. Methylthiouracil (MTU) treatment produced several-fold increases in the thyroid ODC activity and in the content of putrescine, spermidine and spermine within a week. While serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels increased gradually up to 3 weeks, the content of both putrescine and spermidine tended to reach a plateau after 2 weeks of the goitrogen treatment; spermine content continued to increase progressively for 3 weeks. Discontinuance of MTU at 7 days resulted in a rapid decline in the elevated thyroid ODC activity, followed by a diminution of putrescine, spermidine and RNA contents. Thyroidal putrescine, spermidine and RNA responded more sensitively to both introduction and withdrawal of TSH stimulation than thyroidal spermine and DNA. Excess iodide, having no effect on the basal level of thyroid ODC, suppressed the MTU-induced increase in this enzyme activity without affecting circulating TSH, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels. There was a significant negative correlation between the ODC activity and intrathyroidal concentration of iodine in MTU-pretreated rats. Theophylline increased the thyroid weight and ODC activity when given to rats fed with a subeffective dose of MTU. Analyses of serum TSH, T4, T3 and of thyroidal iodine revealed that TSH-induced thyroid ODC activity was suppressed by increased circulating thyroid hormones and/or intrathyroidal iodine. Furthermore, it was suggested that thyroid hormones and excess iodide acted directly on the thyroid to alter polyamine biosynthesis, possibly by changing the responsiveness of the gland to TSH.

Animals↗

Thyroid peroxidase immunodetection as a tool to assist diagnosis of thyroid nodules on fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

In a previous work we have reported the presence in 96.9% of malignant and 4.2% of benign thyroid tumors of an immunological abnormality of the enzyme thyroid peroxidase, impeding the fixation of the anti-thyroid peroxidase monoclonal antibody termed "MoAb47". The present study has been designed to establish the ability of thyroid peroxidase immunodetection to assist the diagnosis of malignancy in fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules. The fixation of anti-thyroid peroxidase monoclonal antibody was investigated by immunohistochemistry on fine-needle aspirates of 150 surgically removed thyroid nodules (20 papillary carcinomas, five follicular carcinomas, 90 colloid adenomas, nine fetal adenoma, 13 atypical adenomas, five oncocytic adenomas, six Hashimoto's thyroiditis and two Graves' disease). The percentage of positive cells has been compared to the final histological diagnosis. In samples from 113/125 benign nodules 80-100% cells presented a positive immunoreaction, whereas all samples from malignant tumors yielded less than 80% positive cells. Benign nodules exhibiting less than 80% positive cells corresponded to three degenerative colloid nodules, five atypical follicular adenomas, two oncocytomas and two thyroiditis. According to results obtained in this series, with the value of 80% as the limit for discrimination between benign and high-risk nodules, the sensitivity of thyroid peroxidase staining for diagnosis of malignancy would be 100%, its specificity 90% and its overall accuracy 92%. Thyroid peroxidase staining with monoclonal antibody MoAb47 on fine-needle aspirates is a useful adjunct to conventional cytology for the investigation of patients with thyroid nodules.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Protirelin (thyrotropin-releasing hormone) in thyroid gland: possible involvement in regulation of thyroid status.

AIM: To establish the presence of the hypothalamic hormone protirelin (thyrotropin-releasing hormone, TRH) in human thyroid and to investigate whether the concentration of this peptide in the thyroid gland is sensitive to thyroid status. METHODS: A procedure has been developed for the determination of TRH in the thyroid gland, distinct from TRH-like peptides which also react with TRH-antibody. RESULTS: Human thyroid was shown to contain both authentic TRH and TRH-like peptides, a similar pattern was seen in a range of animal thyroids. The concentrations of TRH in non-active goiter thyroids were substantial (41.6-248 pmol.g-1); in contrast the thyroids from hyperthyroid patients contained very little TRH (0.01-2.52 pmol.g-1). CONCLUSION: The physiologic role of TRH in the thyroid is not known but the large difference between the concentrations of this hormone in non-active and hyperactive thyroids suggests that thyroidal TRH may be involved in the regulation of thyroid status.

Goiter↗

Clinical significance of endogenously labelled thyroid hormones in the diagnosis of thyroidal autonomy.

The clinical value of the determination of 123I concentration in serum 48 hrs after tracer administration (123I)48 is investigated with special regard to thyroidal autonomy. Serum radioiodine concentration, thyroid radioiodide uptake at 4 and at 48 hrs were measured in 74 healthy subjects and patients with simple goiter, in 36 patients with thyroidal autonomy (diagnosis by thyroid suppression test), and in 20 hyperthyroid patients. 83% of the patients with elevated radioiodine concentration belonged to the group of thyroidal autonomy. The product of radioiodine concentration and thyroid radioiodide uptake is a much better parameter. 95% of the patients in which this product was elevated, belonged to the autonomy group (5% diagnostic error). Also in the control group the diagnostic error was 5%. The combination of (123I)48 with the result of the TRH-test is very useful in excluding thyroidal autonomy, if (123I)48 is normal and the TRH-test is positive (100% of the patients have regulated thyroid glands). 94% of the patients having elevated (123I)48 and a negative TRH-test belonged to the group of thyroidal autonomy. A very useful combination for the diagnosis of borderline hyperthyroidism is the determination of the product of (123I)48 and the uptake48 together with the pulse rate or fine tremor of the fingers (or TRH-test). The results suggest that the determination of (123I)48 is a very good parameter of thyroidal autonomy beside the thyroid suppression test. It may be used alone for the diagnosis of thyroidal autonomy if the suppression test is contraindicated. In the diagnosis of borderline hyperthyroidism its determination makes the suppression test unnecessary in many instances.

Humans↗

Thyroid calcification and its association with thyroid carcinoma.

AIM: Calcification within the thyroid gland may occur in both benign and malignant thyroid disease, and its detection on ultrasonography is frequently dismissed by many clinicians as an incidental finding of little significance. As a tertiary referral center, most of our thyroid patients will have had thyroid ultrasonography before being referred to us, and in our experience, the incidence of malignancy in a thyroid nodule containing calcification seems to be higher than that in the average thyroid nodule. To assess this risk, we conducted this retrospective review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our analysis included 462 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid surgery at our institution between 1995 and 1999. We reviewed all the patients' charts for data regarding clinical findings, preoperative diagnostic investigations, and histopathologic diagnosis. Of the 462 patients, 361 (78.1%) had thyroid ultrasonography before surgery, and 49 (13.6%) of these ultrasounds showed intrathyroidal calcification. RESULTS: Of the 49 patients whose ultrasounds showed intrathyroidal calcification, 29 (59.2%) were found on histopathologic examination to have thyroid carcinoma. Twelve of the remaining 20 patients had multinodular goiters. Of the 29 patients with malignancy, seven (24.1%) had preoperative fine-needle aspirates that were reported as benign. After excluding patients who were initially seen with multinodular disease, in the subset of 37 patients who presented with a solitary thyroid lesion with calcification, 28 (75.7%) were found to have carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: When calcification is noted within a solitary thyroid nodule, the risk of malignancy is very high. Surgery should be recommended regardless of the result of fine-needle aspiration cytologic findings.

Calcinosis↗

Occult parathyroid carcinoma in a patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

A 47-year-old female patient with a previous history of right thyroid lobectomy was admitted to the hospital because of a 3 cm nodule in the thyroid gland. Hormonal evaluation showed subclinical hypothyroidism with serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone slightly elevated to 4.4 microg/dl (normal: 0.4-4 microg/dl). Thyroid ultrasound showed diffuse irregularity of the gland and the presence of a solitary nodule (30x18 mm in diameter) localized in the left lobe. A fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed. Cytological analysis revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Total thyroidectomy was performed. During the operation, two of the parathyroid glands were detected to be hyperplastic. Histopathological examination of the thyroid and parathyroid glands revealed Hashimoto's thyroiditis with papillary thyroid carcinoma and synchronous carcinoma of the parathyroid gland. To our knowledge, this association of occult parathyroid carcinoma in a patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis has not been reported in the literature. Given the high prevalence of autoimmune diseases in elderly women, a random occurrence of this triad represents the most likely explanation.

Biopsy, Needle↗

A combination of necrosis of autologous thyroid gland and injection of lipopolysaccharide induces autoimmune thyroiditis.

Autoimmune thyroiditis was induced in CBA/J female mice by a newly developed method consisting of intraperitoneal implantation of one whole syngeneic thyroid gland with subsequent intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The best timing for intravenous injection of LPS after intraperitoneal implantation of the thyroid tissue was 6 hr. Intraperitoneal injection of serum (but not spleen cells) taken from the mice which received implantation of one whole syngeneic thyroid gland alone, with simultaneous intravenous injection of LPS, induced autoimmune thyroiditis in the normal syngeneic mice. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of the medium in which one whole syngeneic thyroid gland was incubated at 37 degrees C for 10 hr, with simultaneous intravenous injection of LPS, also induced autoimmune thyroiditis in the normal syngeneic mice. Instead of intraperitoneal implantation of one whole syngeneic thyroid gland, implantation of either one lobe of autologous thyroid under the capsule of the kidney, with subsequent intravenous injection of LPS induced autoimmune thyroiditis in both intact and implanted thyroids. It is suggested that combined effects of leakage of tissue antigen originating from the necrotized tissue into the circulation and polyclonal activation by subsequent injection of LPS induced an autoimmune response.

Animals↗

Expression of p63 in papillary thyroid carcinoma and in Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a pathobiologic link?

p63 proteins are p53 homologs that are postulated to regulate squamous stem cell commitment. An immunohistochemical survey of p63 expression in normal thyroid and in reactive, neoplastic, and inflammatory thyroid disorders was performed. Sections from routinely fixed and processed archival thyroidectomy specimens were pretreated with citric acid, pH 6.0, for antigen retrieval, then incubated overnight with anti-p63 monoclonal antibody 4A4. Slides were stained using a streptavidin-biotin kit and diaminobenzidine as a chromagen, and then were counterstained with hematoxylin. The results showed that p63 expression was negative in normal thyroid tissue, nodular goiters, and oncocytic follicular adenomas. Positivity was rare and weak in follicular adenomas. p63-positive foci were commonly found in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (1 or more foci in 78.8% of cases), but rare in Graves' disease. Twenty-seven of 33 papillary thyroid carcinomas (81.8%) displayed p63-positive foci. Staining was uncommon in follicular carcinomas and rare in medullary carcinomas. One case of insular carcinoma was p63-positive. All squamoid structures were p63-positive; p63-positive structures morphologically consistent with solid cell nests were also identified. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that p63 is commonly expressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma and in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Given the debated association of papillary thyroid carcinoma with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it is possible that p63 expression may be a potential pathobiologic link between the two disorders. The finding of p63 in benign squamoid nests supports a possible interrelationship between these structures and both Hashimoto's thyroiditis and papillary carcinoma. The high percentage of papillary carcinomas with p63-positive foci appears to distinguish papillary carcinoma from other neoplasms originating in the thyroid.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗

Changes in free radical scavengers and lipid peroxide in thyroid glands of various thyroid disorders.

To clarify whether the changes of free radicals and its scavengers are induced by thyroid disorders, we measured levels of free radical scavengers and checked O2 radical generating systems in the human thyroid gland. Thyroid specimens from patients with Graves' disease, follicular adenoma, and papillary and follicular carcinomas contained significantly higher concentrations of xanthine oxidase (XOD) and gluthathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), compared to those in the normal thyroid tissue. Catalase concentration was significantly lower in thyroid specimens from patients with Graves' disease and significantly lower in thyroid specimens from patients with follicular adenoma, compared to those in the normal thyroid tissue. Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) concentration was significantly lower in the specimens from follicular adenoma and papillary carcinoma and Mn SOD concentration was significantly higher in the specimens from papillary carcinoma than those in the normal thyroid tissue. The lipid peroxide concentration, expressed as malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, was significantly higher in the specimens from papillary carcinoma than those in the normal thyroid tissue. These findings suggest that the levels of free radicals are increased and are scavenged and catalyzed in the thyroid of Graves' disease, whereas free radicals and lipid peroxide are not completely scavenged in papillary carcinoma tissues, suggesting that these substances affect some role in cell function of thyroid tumors.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Thyroid nodules, thyroid function and dietary iodine in the Marshall islands.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules have been found to be common in the population of the Marshall Islands. This has been attributed to potential exposure of radioiodines from the nuclear weapons tests on Bikini and Eniwetok between 1946 and 1958. METHODS: In order to get a full picture of thyroid pathology in the Marshallese population potentially exposed to radioactive fallout we performed a large thyroid screening programme using palpation, high resolution ultrasound and fine needle biopsies of palpable nodules. In addition, various parameters of thyroid function (free T3, free T4, thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH]) and anti-thyroid antibodies were examined in large proportions of the total population at risk. Since dietary iodine deficiency is an established risk factor for thyroid nodules, iodine concentration in urine samples of 362 adults and 119 children was measured as well as the iodine content of selected staple food products. RESULTS: The expected high prevalence of thyroid nodules was confirmed. There was no indication of an increased rate of impaired thyroid function in the Marshallese population. A moderate degree of iodine deficiency was found which may be responsible for some of the increased prevalence of thyroid nodules in the Marshallese population. CONCLUSIONS: Studies on the relationship between exposure to radioiodines and thyroid nodules need to take dietary iodine deficiency into account in the interpretation of findings.

Adult↗

Hashimoto's thyroiditis with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)-like nuclear alterations express molecular markers of PTC.

AIMS: Focal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)-like nuclear alterations have been documented in Hashimoto's thyroiditis; however, the molecular association between PTC and Hashimoto's thyroiditis is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether molecular expression patterns of PTC are present in association with PTC-like nuclear alterations in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The expression of four genes known to be up-regulated in PTC [LGALS3 (galectin3), CITED1, KRT19 (cytokeratin 19) and FN1 (fibronectin-1)] and the human mesothelial cell protein identified by monoclonal antibody HBME1 was evaluated. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 23 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with focal or diffuse Hürthle cell change and PTC-like nuclear alterations, 37 PTC and 18 normal thyroids. Focal expression of galectin3 (GAL3), CITED1, cytokeratin 19 (CK19), HBME1 and fibronectin-1 (FN1) was seen in 87%, 65%, 43%, 26% and 17% of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, respectively, only in thyrocytes showing PTC-like nuclear alterations. In contrast, diffuse expression of GAL3, CITED1, CK19, HBME1 and FN1 was seen in 100%, 95%, 70%, 87% and 89% of PTC, respectively. Normal thyroid tissues did not express any of these proteins. Following immunohistochemistry, four Hashimoto's thyroiditis cases were found to contain foci of PTC. These foci were highlighted by the diffuse and strong expression of PTC-associated proteins, which prompted additional retrospective scrutiny of the haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections leading to appreciation of complete PTC-type nuclear atypia. CONCLUSIONS: Focal PTC-like immunophenotypic changes in Hashimoto's thyroiditis suggest the possibility of early, focal premalignant transformation in some cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Adolescent↗

Is diagnostic iodine-131 scanning useful after total thyroid ablation for differentiated thyroid cancer?

A diagnostic iodine-131 (131I) total body scan (TBS) is usually recommended 6 to 12 months after thyroid ablation for differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Its usefulness was evaluated in 256 consecutive patients treated and followed up at the Institut Gustave Roussy for papillary (n = 200), well differentiated (n = 27), or poorly differentiated (n = 29) follicular thyroid carcinomas. All patients underwent a near-total or total thyroidectomy and 131I ablation with 3.7 GBq (100 mCi). No TBS was performed before 131I ablation. The TBS performed after the administration of 131I to destroy the thyroid remnants showed uptake (<2%) limited to the thyroid bed. A diagnostic 131I-TBS was obtained after withdrawal of T4 treatment, with either 74 MBq (2 mCi; n = 82) or 185 MBq (5 mCi; n = 174), 6 to 12 months after initial treatment, with serum thyroglobulin (Tg) determination. No interference in the Tg assay was found in these 256 patients. Uptake in the thyroid bed was not detected (total ablation) in 236 patients, was visible but too low to be measured in 19 patients, and attained 1% in only 1 patient. No uptake was found outside the thyroid bed. The serum Tg level, once thyroid hormone treatment had been withdrawn, was below 1 ng/mL in 210 patients, ranged from 1-10 ng/mL in 31 patients, and was above 10 ng/mL in 15 patients. A 131I-TBS performed with 3.7 GBq in nine patients with a Tg level above 10 ng/mL, showed foci of uptake outside the thyroid bed in three patients; lung metastases were demonstrated by a CT scan in another patient, and palpable lymph node metastases were found in one patient. In conclusion, a diagnostic 131I-TBS with 74-185 MBq performed 1 yr after thyroid ablation demonstrated no abnormal uptake; it did not correlate with results of Tg determination and only confirmed the completeness of thyroid ablation. The serum Tg level obtained after withdrawal of T4 treatment permits the selection of patients with a Tg level exceeding 10 ng/mL, for scanning with 3.7 GBq (100 mCi).

Adolescent↗

Incidence of iodine deficiency in patients presenting with goitre--discrepancy between clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation of the thyroid: comparison of patients with and without autoimmune thyroiditis--clinical, hormonal and urinary iodine excretion studies.

In endemic areas iodine deficiency, and in iodine sufficient regions autoimmune thyroiditis, is the first aetiological factor for goitre. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of iodine deficiency and autoimmune thyroiditis in patients presenting with goitre, to compare clinical and ultrasonographic assessment of thyroid size and to investigate the relationship between iodine and autoimmune thyroiditis. Patients diagnosed with goitre clinically (n = 204) were evaluated by their anthropometric measurements, ultrasonographic examination of the thyroid gland, thyroid function and TRH stimulation tests, thyroid autoantibodies and morning urinary iodine measurements. Thyroid volumes were evaluated according to three different reference criteria. Incidences of iodine deficiency and autoimmune thyroiditis were 54% and 17%. The incidences of iodine deficiency and excess were not significantly different in the autoimmune group (n = 35) compared to the non-autoimmune group (n = 169). In the autoimmune group, urinary iodine concentration correlated positively with serum thyroid hormones (FT3 r = 0.42, TT3 r = 0.38, TT4 r = 0.34) and negatively with serum TSH levels (r = 0.45). There were discrepancies between clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation of goitre, and between different reference criteria. This study revealed that iodine deficiency is still the first aetiological factor for goitre in our region and failed to show a relationship between iodine intake and autoimmune thyroid disease.

Adolescent↗

High prevalence of suspicious cytology in thyroid nodules associated with positive thyroid autoantibodies.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the association between thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid cancer in a retrospective series of unselected thyroid nodules submitted to fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) to avoid the selection bias of surgical series. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ultrasound (US)-guided FNACs were obtained from 590 unselected consecutive patients with single thyroid nodules and positive (ATA + , n = 197) or negative (ATA - , n = 393) serum anti-thyroid antibody (ATA). Cytological results were classified in three classes of increased risk of malignancy: low risk or benign (class II); indeterminate risk (class III); and suspect or malignant (class IV). RESULTS: A higher prevalence of class III (28.9% vs 21.4%, P < 0.05) and class IV (18.8% vs 9.2%, P < 0.001) and lower prevalence of class II (52.3% vs 69.5%, P < 0.001) were found in ATA + vs ATA - nodules respectively. By multivariate logistic regression analysis ATA + conferred a significant risk (odds ratio (OR): 2.29 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.39-3.76)) for class IV cytology independently from age and sex. In 106 patients where thyroidectomy was carried out, thyroid cancer was found in 54/61 (88.5%) patients with class IV nodules (with similar positive predictive value for cancer in ATA + (96.4%) and ATA- (81.8%) nodules), in 6/31 (19.3%) of class III nodules (all ATA - ) and in none of 14 class II nodules. Non-specific cytological atypias from hyperplastic nodules in lymphocytic thyroiditis probably accounted for the different prevalence of cancer in class III ATA + and ATA - nodules. Histologically proven thyroid cancer (mostly papillary) was then observed in a higher proportion (27/197 = 13.7%) of ATA + , when compared with ATA - nodules (33/393 = 8.4%, P = 0.044), but the significance of this finding is limited by the low number of class II nodules operated on. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of ATA + confers an increased risk of suspicious or malignant cytology in unselected thyroid nodules. Since ATA + is not responsible for increased false-positive class IV FNAC, our study provides indirect evidence supporting a significant association between thyroid carcinoma and thyroid autoimmunity, although further studies with a different design are needed for a definitive histological proof.

Adult↗

Changing trends in thyroid practice: understanding nodular thyroid disease.

OBJECTIVE: To describe changes that have occurred between 1952 and 2002 in the evaluation and management of nodular thyroid disease. METHODS: A 30-year personal experience, institutional contributions, and the related published literature on evaluation of thyroid function and evolving strategies for management of thyroid nodules are reviewed. RESULTS: Triiodothyronine (T(3)) was discovered in 1952, and measurement of plasma thyroxine by a competitive protein-binding technique became available in the 1960s. Late during that decade, the first radioimmunoassay for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was described, modified, and then used in clinical practice until the mid-1980s, when the more sensitive TSH assays became widely available. T(3) determination by radioimmunoassay was introduced early in the 1970s. Currently, sensitive thyroid function tests can detect early disease. In the general population, thyroid nodules have a prevalence higher than 50% after age 65 years, affecting more than 100 million people in the United States. Two important developments influenced thyroid nodule evaluation and management-- fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy and ultrasonography. Because FNA biopsy has emerged as the most accurate test for nodule diagnosis, it has decreased the need for scanning and for thyroidectomy and thereby is likely to reduce health-care costs by more than $500 million annually in the United States. Thyroid ultrasonography is the imaging method of choice for evaluation of thyroid gland structure. Management of cytologically benign thyroid nodules remains controversial. CONCLUSION: TSH seems to be only one of many factors in pathologic thyroid growth. FNA, because of its diagnostic accuracy, should be the initial procedure used in nodule evaluation.

Antithyroid Agents↗

[Review of thyroid disease and recent progress in thyroid research].

Major thyroid diseases and recent progress in thyroid research are reviewed, including our clinical experiences and data on genetic analysis. Of the 19,944 patients receiving care in our endocrinology and metabolism department over the past 26 years(from 1974 to 2000), there were 4,471(22.4%) patients with thyroid diseases. Of these patients with thyroid disease, 37.3% had Graves' disease, 24.1% had Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and 22.2% had a benign thyroid tumor. Male-to-female ratio for Graves' disease was 1:3.2. The precise mechanism and genetic or environmental factors underlying the onset and progression of autoimmune thyroid disease need further investigation, although recent thyroid research, especially molecular level studies, has resulted in many new insights. Our genetic analysis of patients and experimental animals with thyroglobulin(Tg) abnormalities indicated the amino acids involved in the surface electric charge were important in maintaining the solid structure of Tg and thyroid hormone synthesis in addition to tyrosine and cysteine. In three patients with hyperthyroid Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis or idiopathic hypothyroidism, followed by the author for 8 to 20 years, it was indicated that continued comprehensive care was needed for various episodes, even those arising from non-endocrine conditions, throughout the clinical course, although clinical and laboratory findings showed improvement of the thyroid disease itself.

Congenital Hypothyroidism↗

Thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: An association between diabetes mellitus and autoimmune thyroid disease is well known. We have investigated the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity in type 1 diabetic patients. METHODS: Seventy-nine type 1 diabetic patients were recruited in the study, and underwent complete investigations for thyroid function, which included free thyroxine, free tri-iodothyronine, and thyroid stimulating hormone, of those only 64 patients had performed thyroid autoantibodies (TAb); anti- thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) or antimicrosomal antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb). They were compared with 127 healthy subjects matched for sex and age. This study was carried out at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, Jordan University, Amman, Jordan between 2000 and 2001. RESULTS: In the diabetic group, 7 cases (8.9%) of thyroid dysfunction were detected, 4 of these were diagnosed as subclinical hypothyroidism, whereas the other 3 had overt hypothyroidism and were on thyroxine replacement therapy. In the control group, 6 (4.7%) subjects were diagnosed as subclinical hyperthyroidism. There was a significant difference in thyroid function variables between diabetics and controls. Among type 1 diabetic patients, 7 (9.2%) had thyroid autoantibodies, 5 with positive TPOAb only and 2 with positive TAb; TPOAb or antimicrosomal antibodies and TgAb; compared with 8 (6.3%) in the control group, 4 with positive TPOAb only and 4 with positive TAb; TPOAb or antimicrosomal antibodies and TgAb P=0.68. CONCLUSION: Biochemical thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity were evident in type 1 diabetics who were apparently euthyroid, with no significant difference between diabetics and controls.

Adolescent↗

[Thyroid dysfunction and histologic correlation using thyroid needle biopsy specimens].

In this article, we describe the usefulness of thyroid needle biopsy in the differential diagnosis of thyroid disorders revealing unusual thyroid function. Firstly, we describe the relationship between thyroid function and its histology in 601 cases of chronic thyroiditis. In the histologic group A, the majority of the cases showed a latent or overt hypothyroidism and in histologic group B, hyperthyroid, euthyroid and latent hypothyroid cases were found in nearly equal frequency, respectively. In histologic group C, most cases were in euthyroid and in histologic group D, most cases showed a hyperthyroidism. In the silent thyroiditis and postpartum thyroiditis, known to show a characteristic clinical and laboratory finding, the histologic features of thyroid gland were as follows: the observed characteristic histologic changes in both diseases were an extensive follicular destruction associated with chronic diffuse thyroiditis. These destructive changes disappeared in association with the clinical and laboratory recovery. In the patients with iodine-excess hypothyroidism, the thyroid glands also revealed characteristic histologic changes. A marked hyperplastic change of follicular cells and a lack of colloid material in the follicular lumen was the predominant histologic feature. Based on our personal experiences, thyroid needle biopsy should be recommended as a useful tool for differentiation of causes of hyper- or hypothyroidism.

Adult↗