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Horm Metab Res 2001; 33(4): 232-237
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-14942
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

TSBAb (TSH-Stimulation Blocking Antibody) and TSAb (Thyroid Stimulating Antibody) in TSBAb-Positive Patients with Hypothyroidism and Graves' Patients with Hyperthyroidism

N. Takasu1 , K. Yamashiro1 , Y. Ochi2 , Y. Sato3 , A. Nagata3 , I. Komiya1 , H. Yoshimura4
  • 1 Department of Internal Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
  • 2 Research Institute for Production Development, Morimoto, Shimogamo, Sakyou-ku, Kyoto, Japan
  • 3 Ito Hospital, Jinguumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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There are two types of TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb); thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb) and TSH-stimulation blocking antibody (TSBAb). TSAb causes Graves’ hyperthyroidism. TSBAb causes hypothyroidism. Both TSAb and TSBAb block TSH-binding to thyroid cells as TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb). TSBAb-positive patients with hypothyroidism and Graves’ patients with hyperthyroidism may have both TSBAb and TSAb. We studied TSBAb and TSAb in 43 TSBAb-positive patients with hypothyroidism and in 55 untreated Graves' patients with hyperthyroidism. TSBAb-activities were expressed as percentage inhibition of bovine (b) TSH-stimulated cAMP production by test IgG. Two formulas were used to calculate TSBAb-activities; TSBAb-A (%) = [1 - (c - b)/(a - b)] × 100 and TSBAb-B (%) = [1 - (c - d)/(a - b)] × 100, where a: cAMP generated in the presence of normal IgG and bTSH, b: cAMP generated in the presence of normal IgG, c: cAMP generated in the presence of test IgG and bTSH, and d: cAMP generated in the presence of test IgG. TSAb (%) = [d/b] × 100. All of the 43 TSBAb-positive patients with hypothyroidism had strongly positive TSBAb-A and -B. Some of them had weakly positive TSAb (< 240 %). All 55 untreated Graves’ patients had positive TSAb (205 - 2509 %). Some of them had both TSAb and TSBAb. TSBAb-positive patients with hypothyroidism had a limited distribution of TSBAb- and TSAb-activities (TSBAb-A + 75 - + 103 %, TSBAb-B + 87 - + 106 %, TSAb 92 - 240 %), but Graves' patients with hyperthyroidsim had a wide distribution of TSAb- and TSBAb-activities (TSAb 205 - 2509 %, TSBAb-A - 158 - + 43 %, TSBAb-B - 14 - + 164 %). TSBAb-A ignores TSAb activity in serum, and might give low TSBAb activity. However, TSBAb-A clearly differentiates TSBAb-positive patients with hypothyroidism from Graves’ patients with hyperthyroidism; thus, we favor TSBAb-A over TSBAb-B. Some of TSBAb-positive patients with hypothyroidism and Graves' patients with hyperthyroidism have both TSBAb and TSAb.

Key words:

TSBAb: TSH-Stimulation Blocking Antibody - TSAb: Thyroid Stimulating Antibody - TRAb: TSH-Receptor Antibody - Graves' Disease - TSBAb-Positive Hypothyroidism - TRAb Disease

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N. Takasu,M.D. 

Department of Internal Medicine
University of the Ryukyus

Uehara 207, Nishihara, Okinawa
Japan 903-0215


Fax: Fax:+ 81-098-895-1415

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