Evaluating the Influence of Anti-Thyroid Antibodies on Thyroid Function in Newly Identified Hypothyroid Patients in Bangladesh

BackgroundMillions of people worldwide suffer from thyroid dysfunction, and especially hypothyroidism, which is a prevalent endocrine disorder contributing extensively to systemic and metabolic illness. In hypothyroidism, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), thyroid hormones that control metabolism in several organ systems, are insufficiently secreted. ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of anti-thyroid antibodies on thyroid function in Bangladeshi newly diagnosed patients with hypothyroidism. MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of adult patients with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism was carried out. Thyroid function tests (FT4, TSH), thyroid autoantibodies (anti-TPO, anti-Tg), symptoms, physical findings, and demographics were obtained and analyzed. ResultsThe average age of the study participants was 36.07{+/-}11.00 years, and 70.1% were female. 72.7% of the cases were rural. 89% of the patients were antibody-positive, 81.8% anti-TPO, 55.2% anti-Tg, and 48.1% both. Enlargement of the thyroid (p<0.001) and gain of weight (p<0.043) were associated with antibody positivity. Grade 1 goitre alone was highly predictive of antibody positivity (AOR 11.766, p<0.001). Neither FT4 nor TSH correlated significantly with antibody titers. A significant correlation, however, was noted between anti-Tg and anti-TPO titers. ConclusionRecently developed hypothyroid patients usually have a condition named especially anti-TPO positive, and it is usually accompanied by goitre and family history. Even if the thyroid function tests are not conclusive, early diagnosis and better understanding of the disease process can be made by screening for thyroid antibodies.