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Horm Metab Res 1977; 9(4): 326-332
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1093522
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Anti Thyroid Hormone Autoantibodies under Experimental and Clinical Conditions

R.  Hehrmann , B.  Höffken , A.  von zur Mühlen , H.  Creutzig1 , J.  Thiele2 , R.-D.  Hesch
  • Section of Clinical Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Hannover, Germany
  • 1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical School, Hannover, Germany
  • 2Institute of Pathology, Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Publication Date:
23 December 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Autoantibodies against thyroid hormones were experimentally induced and clinically observed. Rats were immunized with a single dose of T3-conjugate, T4-conjugate or both. Six months later total T3 and total T4 were measured by radioimmunoassays after alcohol extraction as well as TSH in rats (rTHS). Also antibody titers against T3 and T4 were determined. Oxygen consumption of immunized and control rats was measured in special metabolic cages. After immunization T3 and/or T4 concentrations were markedly elevated in close correlation to the respective antibody titers. rTSH was not changed. Oxygen consumption was not altered in immunized animals, whereas thiamazol treated rats showed diminished oxygen consumption indicating decreased basal metabolic rate. Clinically occurring thyroid hormone autoantibodies can be detected by RIA using charcoal separation for bound and free hormone since they result in high unspecific binding. Such sera are subjected to antibody titer determination and total T3 and T4 are measured after alcohol extraction. T3 autoantibodies were observed in euthyroid and hyperthyroid sera, and their titers were again correlated to total T3 concentrations. It can be concluded, that the increased total hormone concentrations in antibody positive sera are biologically irrelevant, since rTSH and oxygen consumption were normal suggesting normal free hormone concentrations. In patients with thyroid hormone autoantibodies the diagnosis cannot be made from total hormone concentrations or antibody titers, but must be made on the basis of clinical appearance and TRH tests.

Key words

Thyroid Hormone Autoantibodies - Total T3 - Total T4 - Active Immunization - Oxygen Consumption