Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE OF SCREENING FOR THYROID ANTIBODIES IN
HEALTH CHECK-UPS
Kalarani R1, A Safiullah 2, C. Gopal3, S. Subramaniyam4
1 Research Scholar, Regenix Super Speciality Laboratories, Chennai – 94, 2 Consultant BioChemist, Regenix Super Speciality Laboratories, Chennai – 94, 3 Member Secretary (Retd), Coastal Aquaculture Authority, Chennai – 91, 4 Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Regenix Super Speciality Laboratories, Chennai - 94
Abstract
Thyroid dysfunction is a common health problem affecting millions of people all around the world. One of the prominent types of thyroid disorder is Autoimmune Thyroiditis, known by testing the levels of thyroid antibodies. Major Thyroid antibodies are anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb), anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) and TSH receptor antibodies (TrAb). Presence of thyroid antibodies leads to Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI). However, TAI is often undiagnosed since they are asymptomatic for a long period. In the present study, we assessed the link between TAI and significance of screening for TAI.
It is a cross-sectional study conducted in subjects over 18years of age.Subjects included were known hypothyroid patients and individuals randomly selected from the public. The blood samples for thyroid profile analysis were collected from overnight fasting individuals. Thyroid parameters tested using Electro Chemiluminescence were, Total Thyroxine (T4), Total Triiodothyronine (T3) along with TgAb and TPO Ab. and using Ultra sensitive chemiluminescence wasThyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). . The results were subject to ANOVA and Chi square test to compare the data and p-value.
e
Among the 21 hypothyroid individuals, 15 were diagnosed with TAI (71.4 %). All 15 who had TAI were on treatment for thyroid dysfunction (reported with altered thyroid profiles initially, now corrected with medication), thus proving, Anti TPO and Anti TG were found to be associated with thyroid dysfunction.
Among 23 ATP individuals, 17 were diagnosed with TAI (73.9 %), posing the risk of hypothyroidism in the later stages of life..
Individuals who were already on treatment with hypothyroidism and ones with TAI had highly significantly increased antibody levels when compared to controls. and they were highly statistically significant.
Significant relations between presence of thyroid antibodies and thyroid profile alterations were established in the study, proving that Anti TPO and Anti TG were found to be associated with thyroid dysfunction.
The results suggest that screening of Thyroid antibodies should be done during the health checkups for healthy individuals to conclude for the diagnoses of TAI.