Hormonal and immunological features of autoimmune tyroiditis in persons in families with autoimmune diseases

Hormonal and immunological characteristics of have been studied in individuals with initial autoimmune thyroiditis who have first- and second-degree relatives with autoimmune diseases. The age of the studied group of patients was 31±14 years, 60 women and 7 men. All the patients were examined by clinical, laboratory and instrumental methods in accordance with examination standards for autoimmune thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes mellitus. In addition, A, M, and G serum immunoglobulins and autoantibodies to insulin, pancreatic cells were determined. In patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, regardless of the presence / absence of a family history of autoimmune diseases, we have found an increase (p < 0.01) in total cholesterol content (by 63.6-65.9%), basal hyperglycemia (by 20-25%), higher thyroid-stimulating hormone (by 79-104%) in presence with decreased thyroglobulin levels (by 8-17.8%; p < 0.01), in comparison with the control group. There was a significant increase in postprandial glucose and glycated hemoglobin (p < 0.01) in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes, in cases of familial autoimmune diseases, as compared to the controls. In all patients of the study group, there was a significant (p < 0.001) increase in autoantibodies to thyroperoxidase, compared with controls, and within the subgroup with co-existence of type 1 diabetes and autoimmune diseases in the family (p < 0.005).

At the same time, the patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes mellitus with aggravated family history for autoimmune diseases have shown a significant increase of insulin autoantibodies, and to own pancreatic components (p < 0.005) when comparing with subgroup of patients without type 1 diabetes and, compared with a subgroup of patients without family history of type 1 diabetes mellitus and other autoimmune disorders.

Increased IgA and IgG in blood serum (p < 0.05-0.001) can be traced, regardless of the presence of type 1 diabetes and familial autoimmune anamnesis. Increase of humoral immunity indices was significant in the persons with autoimmune thyroiditis accomplished by the type 1 diabetes in families with autoimmune diseases, in comparison with patients without type 1 diabetes (p < 0.005) and without burdened family history (p < 0.01). Hence, we have registered more pronounced changes in thyroid hormones, the contents of autoantibodies to a number of surface and internal structures of endocrine organs, as well as serum immunoglobulins in the persons with autoimmune thyroiditis accomplished by type 1 diabetes in hypothyreosis with first- and second-degree relatives with autoimmune diseases, in comparison with patients without burdened family history. Therefore, the diagnosis of at least one autoimmune disorder in a family member increases the alertness of patients and doctors, thus contributing to the early detection of autoimmune diseases.

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