Prevalence of Thyroid Autoantibodies in Type ۲ Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE: Due to the increased prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in subjects with type ۲ diabetes and also this fact that antibodies could potentially identify subjects at risk of thyroid dysfunction, this study was conducted to investigate thyroid autoimmunity in type ۲ diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Among patients referred to Yazd Diabetes Research Center, ۴۰۰۰ type ۲ diabetic patients were recruited and clinical examination was carried out and samples for thyroid function test including thyroxin (T۴), triiodothyronine (T۳), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T۳ resin uptake (T۳RU), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) and thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab) were obtained. RESULTS: Among ۴۰۰۰ type ۲ diabetic subjects (۱۶۴۹ male and ۲۳۵۱ female), ۱۷۶۲(۴۴%) were known to have thyroid disease. A total of ۱۴۶۶ (۳۶.۷%) had positive TPO antibodies and ۱۰۷۲ (۲۶.۸%) had positive Tg-Ab antibodies. The logistic regression of thyroid dysfunction on Tg-Ab as well as TPO-Ab status (positive vs. negative) was significant (P=۰.۰۰۰۱). CONCLUSION: Our results showed strong association of thyroid dysfunction with autoantibodies, especially in patients with Tg-Ab positive. Therefore, the findings suggest that all subjects with type ۲ diabetes, particularly those with positive antibodies, should undergo annual screening to detect asymptomatic thyroid dysfunction