Br Med J (Clin Res Ed)  1981;282:258-262 (24 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.282.6260.258

Natural history of autoimmune thyroiditis.

One hundred and sixty-three asymptomatic people with thyroid antibodies or raised serum thyrotrophin (TSH) concentrations, or both, and 209 age-matched and sex-matched controls without either marker of thyroid disorder were followed up for four years to determine the natural history of autoimmune thyroiditis. Mildly raised TSH concentrations alone and the presence of thyroid antibodies alone did not significantly increase the risk of developing overt hypothyroidism during the four years compared with the controls. Overt hypothyroidism developed at the rate of 5% a year in women who initially had both raised TSH concentrations and thyroid antibodies. Prophylactic treatment with thyroxine may be justified in women found to have both markers of impending thyroid failure. The cost effectiveness of screening the adult population remains to be evaluated.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    StumbleUpon    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Karmisholt, J., Laurberg, P. (2008). Serum TSH and serum thyroid peroxidase antibody fluctuate in parallel and high urinary iodine excretion predicts subsequent thyroid failure in a 1-year study of patients with untreated subclinical hypothyroidism. Eur J Endocrinol 158: 209-215 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Kordonouri, O, Hartmann, R, Deiss, D, Wilms, M, Gruters-Kieslich, A (2005). Natural course of autoimmune thyroiditis in type 1 diabetes: association with gender, age, diabetes duration, and puberty. Arch. Dis. Child. 90: 411-414 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Watt, F.E., James, O.F.W., Jones, D.E.J. (2004). Patterns of autoimmunity in primary biliary cirrhosis patients and their families: a population-based cohort study. QJM 97: 397-406 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Danese, M. D., Powe, N. R., Sawin, C. T., Ladenson, P. W. (1996). Screening for Mild Thyroid Failure at the Periodic Health Examination: A Decision and Cost-effectiveness Analysis. JAMA 276: 285-292 [Abstract]  
• Moore, D. C. (1996). Natural Course of 'Subclinical' Hypothyroidism in Childhood and Adolescence. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 150: 293-297 [Abstract]  
• Petrone, L. R. (1996). A Primary Care Approach to the Adult Patient With Nodular Thyroid Disease. Arch Fam Med 5: 92-100 [Abstract]  
• Martino, E., Aghini-Lombardi, F., Bartalena, L., Grasso, L., Loviselli, A., Velluzzi, F., Pinchera, A., Braverman, L. E. (1994). Enhanced Susceptibility to Amiodarone-Induced Hypothyroidism in Patients With Thyroid Autoimmune Disease. Arch Intern Med 154: 2722-2726 [Abstract]  
• Kabadi, U. M. (1993). 'Subclinical Hypothyroidism' Natural Course of the Syndrome During a Prolonged Follow-up Study. Arch Intern Med 153: 957-961 [Abstract]  
• Ronnblom, L. E., Alm, G. V., Oberg, K. E. (1991). Autoimmunity after Alpha-Interferon Therapy for Malignant Carcinoid Tumors. ANN INTERN MED 115: 178-183 [Abstract]  
• Rosenthal, M. J., Hunt, W. C., Garry, P. J., Goodwin, J. S. (1987). Thyroid Failure in the Elderly: Microsomal Antibodies as Discriminant for Therapy. JAMA 258: 209-213 [Abstract]  
• Cooper, D. S. (1987). Subclinical Hypothyroidism. JAMA 258: 246-247 [Abstract]  
• Sawin, C. T., Castelli, W. P., Hershman, J. M., McNamara, P., Bacharach, P. (1985). The Aging Thyroid: Thyroid Deficiency in the Framingham Study. Arch Intern Med 145: 1386-1388 [Abstract]  
• Levine, S. N. (1983). Current Concepts of Thyroiditis. Arch Intern Med 143: 1952-1956 [Abstract]  

Online poll

Find out more here>> and here>>