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.
Institution
National Center for Diabetes Endocrinology and Genetics Jordan
University, Amman, Jordan.
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