Abstract
Serial measurements of thyroid auto-antibody titers by complement fixation and tanned red cell agglutination methods have been made in 30 patients with thyrotoxicosis, before and following treatment with radioactive iodine. A rise in titer by one or both methods was demonstrated in 18 subjects. In 13 it was transient, the maximum response being observed between 4 and 40 weeks, whereas in 5 the rise in titer was delayed and persisted throughout the period of observation. Five subjects developed myxedema; 2 of these had a high initial titer of antithyroglobulin while the other 3 all had a rise in antibody titer after treatment. The findings are discussed, and it is suggested that physical trauma to the thyroid caused by irradiation may lead to the development of an auto-immune process in some patients.
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