New Cases Of Hypothyroidism Research Articles

Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Thyroid Autoimmunity.

Psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic relapsing/remitting autoimmune skin disease, associated with an increased risk of other autoimmune disorders. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis occurring approximately in 30% of PsO patients. Sporadic cases of association between PsO and autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITDs) have been reported. However, two different recent studies did not find any association between them. In patients with PsO and PsA, an association with AITD has been shown by most of the studies in adults, but not in the juvenile form. In PsA women and men, thyroid autoimmunity [positive antithyroid peroxidase (AbTPO) antibodies, hypoechoic thyroid pattern] and subclinical hypothyroidism were more prevalent than in the general population. An association has been shown also in patients with PsO, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease, who have more frequently AITD. A Th1 immune predominance has been shown in early PsO, and PsA, with high serum CXCL10 (Th1 prototype chemokine), overall in the presence of autoimmune thyroiditis. This Th1 immune predominance might be the immunopathogenetic base of the association of these disorders. A raised incidence of new cases of hypothyroidism, thyroid dysfunction, positive AbTPO, and appearance of a hypoechoic thyroid pattern in PsA patients, especially in women, has been shown recently, suggesting to evaluate AbTPO levels, thyroid function, and thyroid ultrasound, especially in PsA women. Thyroid function follow-up and suitable treatments should be performed regularly in PsA female patients at high risk (thyroid-stimulating hormone within the normal range but at the higher limit, positive AbTPO, hypoechoic, and small thyroid).

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Thyroid Autoimmunity.

Most of the studies present in the literature show a high prevalence, and incidence, of new cases of hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, overall in female gender. A limited number of cases of Graves’ disease have been also reported in SLE patients, in agreement with the higher prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity. It has been also demonstrated that a Th1 predominance is associated with AT in SLE patients. Furthermore, a higher prevalence of papillary thyroid cancer has been recently reported in SLE, in particular in the presence of thyroid autoimmunity. However, studies in larger number of SLE patients are needed to confirm findings about thyroid cancer. On the whole, data from literature strongly suggest that female SLE patients, with a high risk (a normal but at the higher limit thyroid-stimulating hormone value, positive antithyroid peroxidase antibodies, a hypoechoic pattern, and small thyroid), should undergo periodic thyroid function follow-up, and appropriate treatments when needed. A careful thyroid monitoring would be opportune during the follow-up of these patients.

Increased incidence of autoimmune thyroid disorders in patients with psoriatic arthritis: a longitudinal follow-up study.

Contrasting results have been reported about the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity (AT) and dysfunction (TD) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). In this study, we pointed to evaluate the incidence of new cases of clinical and subclinical TD in a broad group of patients with PsA versus a control group, matched by age and gender belonging to the same geographic area. PsA patients with TD were excluded firstly, and new cases of thyroid disorders were evaluated in 97 PsA patients and 97 matched controls, who had comparable iodine intake (median follow-up of 74months in PsA versus 92 in controls). A raised rate of new cases of hypothyroidism, TD, positive antithyroid peroxidase (AbTPO) antibodies, and appearance of a small hypoechoic thyroid pattern in PsA, especially in female gender, compared to controls has been evidenced. Risk factors in female gender for the development of TD are thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) within the normal range but at the higher limit, positive AbTPO, and small thyroid volume. To sum up, thyroid function follow-up and suitable treatments should be performed regularly in female patients at high risk (TSH within the normal range but at the higher limit, positive AbTPO, hypoechoic and small thyroid).

Incidence of thyroid disorders in mixed cryoglobulinemia: Results from a longitudinal follow-up.

No study has evaluated the incidence of new cases of thyroid autoimmunity (AT) and dysfunction (TD) in hepatitis C-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) patients. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of new cases of AT and TD in a wide group of MC patients vs. age- and gender-matched controls from the same geographic area. After exclusion of MC patients with TD at the initial evaluation, the appearance of new cases of TD was evaluated in 112 MC patients and 112 matched controls, with similar iodine intake (median follow-up 67months in MC vs. 78 in controls). A high incidence (P<0.05) of new cases of hypothyroidism, TD, anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (AbTPO) positivity, appearance of a hypoechoic thyroid pattern, and thyroid autoimmunity in MC patients vs. controls was shown. A logistic regression analysis showed that in MC, the appearance of hypothyroidism was related to female gender, a borderline high initial thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), AbTPO positivity, a hypoechoic, and small thyroid. In conclusion, we show a high incidence of new cases of AT and TD in MC patients. MC patients at high risk (female gender, a borderline high initial TSH, AbTPO positivity, a hypoechoic, and small thyroid) should have periodically thyroid function follow-up.

Screening for thyroid dysfunction and diabetes in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

BackgroundCurrent literature demonstrates that patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) have a higher prevalence of hypothyroidism and diabetes. The British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) advises screening CTS patients for thyroid and glucose dysfunction before surgery. This study aimed to analyze the current departmental practice for patients listed for carpal tunnel decompression (CTD) with respect to preoperative assessment of diabetic and thyroid status. MethodA retrospective review of all patients who underwent surgery for CTS under one team over a 3 year period (2009–2011) in a UK teaching hospital was performed. Patients' medical records and pathology results were reviewed. ResultsA total of 103 procedures were performed in 100 patients. Preoperative thyroid function was checked in 63/100 patients with an abnormal result in 3/63 patients. Two of these patients were subsequently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Similarly blood glucose was checked in 67/100 patients. This resulted in the new diagnosis of three patients with diabetes. ConclusionThe results are consistent with the view that CTS is associated with thyroid dysfunction and diabetes and screening helps in diagnosing new cases of these conditions in this select group. The cost of diagnosing new cases of hypothyroidism and diabetes can be considered as money well spent.

Incidence of Thyroid Disorders in Systemic Sclerosis: Results from a Longitudinal Follow-Up

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease of unknown etiology, and several studies reported its association with thyroid autoimmune disorders. No study has evaluated longitudinally the incidence of new cases of thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction in patients with SSc. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of new cases of clinical and subclinical thyroid dysfunction in a wide group of women with SSc vs an age- and sex-matched control group from the same geographic area. DESIGN AND PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: After exclusion of sclerodermic patients with thyroid dysfunction (n = 55) at the initial evaluation, the appearance of new cases of thyroid disorders was evaluated in 179 patients and 179 matched control subjects, with similar iodine intake (median follow-up 73 months in patients with SSc vs 94 months in control subjects). A high incidence (P < .05) of new cases of hypothyroidism, thyroid dysfunction, anti-thyroperoxidase antibody positivity, and appearance of a hypoechoic thyroid pattern in sclerodermic patients (15.5, 21, 11, and 14.6 of 1000 patients per year; respectively) vs that in control subjects was shown. A logistic regression analysis showed that in patients with SSc, the appearance of hypothyroidism was related to a borderline high initial TSH level, anti-thyroperoxidase antibody positivity, and a hypoechoic and small thyroid. Our study shows a high incidence of new cases of hypothyroidism and thyroid dysfunction in female sclerodermic patients. Female sclerodermic patients, who are at high risk (a borderline high [even if in the normal range] TSH value, anti-thyroperoxidase antibody positivity, and a hypoechoic and small thyroid) should have periodic thyroid function follow-up.

Racial and Sex Differences in Prevalence of Hypothyroidism in Patients With Cardiomyopathies Enrolled into a Heart Failure Disease Management Program

The authors evaluated the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with heart failure (HF) to determine whether there are racial and sex differences and to determine the number of new cases of hypothyroidism. The study included 194 patients in an HF disease management program (HFDMP) in South Florida. Patients were interviewed for a history of hypothyroidism and referred for measurement of thyrotropin. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was calculated by race and sex. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 18% for all patients with HF and 23% among Hispanics; however, this trend was not statistically significant (P = .06). More men than women had hypothyroidism (P = .04). Patients with hypothyroidism had higher mean lipid profiles (P < .01) and lower mean heart rates (P = .03) than healthy patients. Hypothyroidism is prevalent among HF patients, especially men. Hispanics with HF may have a higher prevalence of hypothyroidism. The standardized protocol of the HFDMP helped identify new cases of hypothyroidism.

Reversal of Hypothyroidism in Well Chelated β-Thalassemia Major Patients

Thyroid dysfunction is known to occur frequently in β-Thalassemia major patients (TMps), but its prevalence and severity varies in different cohorts according to chelation regimens. Thyroid hormones are critical determinants of brain and somatic development in infants and of metabolic activity in adults affecting the function of virtually every organ system. Thyroid gland mainly secrets T4, whereas 80% of T3 is produced by de-iodination of T4 (liver, kidney, heart and other tissues) and is influenced by a variety of factors. Furthermore, T4 & T3 secretion is tightly regulated within narrow limits by a mechanism that involves the pituitary-secreted TSH which in turn is stimulated by the hypothalamic TRH. Thus, iron overload-related hypothyroidism may be either central (because of deposition in the pituitary or the hypothalamus) and usually associated with other endocrinopathies, or primary (by deposition in the thyroid gland or even other organs). Existing data suggest that the thyroid gland appears to fail before the central components of the axis. In all cases, symptoms occur slowly over time and may vary from subclinical to overt hypothyroidism which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term intensive combined chelation therapy on thyroid function in TMps after they were all in negative iron balance. 51 TMps, 25 males 26 females, mean age 29.8±2.03, who were previously maintained on subcutaneous desferrioxamine monotherapy (DFO:40mg/kg, 3–6 days/week) switched to an intensive combined chelation with DFO (40–60mg/kg/d) and Deferiprone (DFP: 75–100mg/kg/d) adapted to individual needs. Thyroid function was assessed initially and after 6 years by TRH stimulation test and TSH, FT4 & FT3 screening. All patients on hormone replacement therapy stopped treatment at least 30 days before the test. This was approved by the Hospital Scientific Committee. Criteria for the diagnosis of subclinical or compensated hypothyroidism was an increase of the TSH levels during the test of more than 20 μIU/ml from the basal value or an elevated basal TSH concentration (>5 μIU/ml) and for overt hypothyroidism a further decrease in FT4 & FT3 levels. With DFO monotherapy 18 TMps were treated with thyroxin therapy. In these patients after combined chelation and an important decrease in iron overload (p<0.0001) as estimated by ferritin levels (2,737±473 vs 450±225mg/dl), MRI liver and heart iron quantification (T2*L & T2*H) and LIC calculated by Ferriscan (13±3 vs. 1.4±0.5mg/gdw), a significant increase was observed in mean FT4 (1.07±0.03 vs. 0.7±0.02ng/ml, p<0.0001) & mean FT3 (2.6±0.1 vs. 1.3± 0.1pg/ml, p<0.0001) and an additional significant decrease in the mean TSH quantitative secretion, calculated as the area under the curve (AUC=1,332±131 vs. 2,231±241, p<0.0001). These 10/18 (56%) TMps with subclinical or compensated hypothyroidism, who normalized TSH, FT4 & FT3 levels and had a normal TRH stimulation test discontinued thyroxin therapy, while another 4/18 (22%) reduced their thyroxin dose. The remaining 4/18 with overt hypothyroidism, while they all improved their TRH stimulation test, only 2 improved to compensated hypothyroidism with TSH levels 5–10mIU/ml and normal FT4 & FT3 levels. Critically, in the other 33/51 euthyroid TMps, no new cases of hypothyroidism were noted after combined chelation and a significant increase (p<0.0001) was observed in the mean FT4 & FT3 levels with a significant decrease (p<0.0001) in the mean TSH quantitative secretion (AUC). This study showed that intensive combined chelation associated with a significant decrease of iron overload may reverse some cases of primary hypothyroidism, either subclinical or compensated, and may prevent progression to overt hypothyroidism, thus influencing the decision to treat with thyroid hormone. It may also improve some cases of overt hypothyroidism suggesting that even iron-induced damage of the thyroid pituitary axis might be ameliorated.

Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin auto-antibodies in patients with newly diagnosed overt hypothyroidism

Objectives: Thyroid autoimmunity is a major cause for hypothyroidism. We describe thyroid auto-antibodies in patients with various nosological subtypes of hypothyroidism identified in a population study.Design: Population-based follow-up study identifying all new cases of hypothyroidism in an open cohort.Methods: We established a monitoring system, and identified all new cases with primary overt hypothyroidism (n = 685) in a 4 year period in a well-defined population cohort (2,027,208 person-years of observation). Patients were sub-classified into: spontaneous hypothyroidism, presumably of autoimmune origin (n = 578); non-spontaneous hypothyroidism (associated with medication, delivery, neck-irradiation or subacute thyroiditis, n = 97); and congenital hypothyroidism (n = 10). A total of 186 adult patients (61% of those invited) underwent thyroid ultrasonography and measurements of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin (TgAb).Results: In spontaneously hypothyroid patients: >99% were antibody-positive (TPOAb or TgAb), TPOAb were more often measurable than TgAb (95.9 vs. 80.7%, p < 0.001). A statistically significant but modest correlation was observed between the two antibodies (Pearson's r2 = 0.11, p < 0.001). In a multivariate regression model both TPOAb and TgAb were positively associated with thyroid enlargement (p < 0.001), whereas no association was found with sex, age, iodine deficiency level or serum TSH level. We found no differences in patient characteristics between those who mainly developed TPOAb vs. those who preferentially harboured TgAb.Conclusions: Autoimmunity played a dominant role in practically all patients classified as spontaneously hypothyroid. Thyroid enlargement was associated with high levels of TPOAb and TgAb. We found no clue to why some spontaneously hypothyroid patients predominantly developed TPOAb whereas others mainly generated TgAb.

How Valuable Is Screening for Thyroid Disease in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

It has been suggested that many patients with carpal tunnel syndrome have associated thyroid or other metabolic diseases. 206 patients with clinical features suggestive of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), including those with known underlying cause of CTS, were screened for thyroid dysfunction. Nerve conduction studies were compatible with a diagnosis of CTS in 136 patients (CTS group). We diagnosed only 2 new cases of hypothyroidism (1.5% of patients in the CTS group) and none with hyperthyroidism. Thus routine screening of patients with isolated CTS for thyroid function abnormality does not appear to be worthwhile.

Clinical and laboratory evaluation of hyperlipemic and hypothyroid patients.

To determine the frequency of hypothyroidism in a sample of hyperlipemic patients and evaluate clinical and laboratory factors indicative of thyropathy among them. Fifty-one hyperlipemic patients, grouped according to an earlier or recent diagnosis of their thyroid function into euthyroid and hypothyroid, were evaluated with clinical and laboratory examinations of blood levels of free T4 and TSH (by radioimmunoassay). Patients were on average 46.8 +/- 11.7 years old, predominantly of the female sex (62.5 %); 31 % had a previous diagnosis of hypothyroidism and were under treatment with thyroxin. Fourteen three percent of patients analyzed had hypothyroidism, which had not been detected before. Differentiating attributes of the groups analyzed were: a predominance of females among the hypothyroid patients and a higher HDL serum concentration among those recently diagnosed. In the present study, new cases of hypothyroidism in hyperlipemic patients were a frequent occurrence, yet few clinical and laboratory data except tests evaluating free T4 and TSH in the blood indicated which patients had thyroid dysfunction.

Routine endocrine screening for patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure

To evaluate the usefulness of routine screening for other associated autoimmune endocrine disorders in patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure. One hundred nineteen women with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure (FSH exceeding 40 mIU/mL) who desired fertility were evaluated at a tertiary care academic center by physical examination, measurement of serum free thyroxine and TSH, ACTH stimulation test, fasting serum glucose, 3-hour glucose tolerance test, measurement of serum electrolytes including total calcium, and measurement of serum vitamin B12. Twenty-two of 119 patients (18.5%) were known to have hypothyroidism and three were known to have Addison disease. Ten new cases of hypothyroidism and three new cases of diabetes mellitus were discovered. However, no new cases of adrenal insufficiency, hypoparathyroidism, or pernicious anemia were found. Screening for hypothyroidism and diabetes appears justified in those patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure who desire fertility. However, our findings suggest that in these patients, testing for other associated autoimmune endocrine disorders may be reserved for those with clinical indications.

Screening of thyroid function in the hospitalized aged

When a thyroid test was made on all the patients coming to a geriatric department of a hospital, markedly more new cases of hypothyroidism (17 as against 2), and also somewhat more new cases of hyperthyroidism (34 as against 21) were found than when the thyroid test was used only on clinical suspicion of thyroid dysfunction. The authors consider a thyroid test (T4?) worth taking systematically in all aged patients admitted to hospital.

Chronic administration of amiodarone and thyroid function: A follow-up study

In order to evaluate the effects of amiodarone on thyroid function in chronically treated patients, 43 consecutive patients, who had been taking a mean weekly dose of 1420 ± 488 mg for more than 9 months (mean 16.5 months), were studied. In a first evaluation, three patients with hypothyroidism and two with hyperthyroidism were discovered. In the remaining 38 patients, mean T 4 (131 ± 38 nmol/L) and rT 3 (0.85 ± 0.3 nmol/L) levels were significantly higher than reference values ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively), and mean T 3 levels (1.89 ± 0.73 nmol/L) were significantly lower ( p < 0.001). Thirteen patients showed hyperresponsiveness to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation testing. In a second evaluation, performed 12 to 18 months later, two new cases of hypothyroidism were discovered. T 3 levels showed significantly lower values ( p < 0.02) than in the first evaluation, whereas basal thyroid-stimulating hormone levels and levels 30 and 60 minutes after TRH stimulation were significantly higher than those in the first evaluation ( p < 0.001). Five new hyperresponders to TRH were found. In the present series, the progressive appearance of clinical thyroid dysfunction with an elevated total incidence (16%) is demonstrated. Moreover, a progressively high prevalence of hyperresponsiveness to TRH stimulation is shown. These findings indicate that chronic amiodarone administration may carry a high risk of thyroid dysfunction.

Hypothyroidism and Precocious Sexual Development: Another Case

Recently, an article in Pediatrics by Costin et al.1 described two new cases of hypothyroidism and precocious sexual development. I would like to report another similar case with our available data. M.L.M., a 13-year-old girl was first seen by us at age 12-4/12 for short stature. Her history included growth retardation, diminution of attention span, somnolence, anorexia with weight gain, and constipation beginning between ages 4 to 6. At 9½ years of age irregular menses began, breast development was first noticed at 10 years, and pubic hair at 11½ years. Her initial admission data are in Table I.