AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES TYPE 1

Diabetes type 1 is characterized by autoimmune destruction or primary dysfunction of pancreatic  cells. The more common form is the autoimmune type, which can be associated with other endocrine malfunction such as adrenal insufficiency and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Autoimmune thyroiditis is characterized by presence of anti TG, anti TPO and anti TSH antibodies in the plasma. This study has investigated the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disorders in type 1 diabetic patients. 200 type 1 diabetics and 200 age/sex matched non-diabetic controls were recruited. Blood samples were taken to determine serum levels of thyroid hormones (T3RU, T3, T4, and TSH) and antithyroid antibodies. TG-Ab and TPO-Ab levels were significantly higher (P<0.001) in diabetics compared to controls (mean TG-Ab: 955.7±495.5 in diabetics and 451.0±189.5 in controls; mean TPO-Ab: 463.2±182.3 in diabetics and 112.4±38.3 in controls). Clinical and subclinical hyperthyroidism was four times more common in diabetics. It seems reasonable that type 1 diabetic patients, especially those at younger ages, be screened for thyroid hormones and anti-thyroid antibodies