Hanyang Med Rev.  2012 Nov;32(4):219-226. 10.7599/hmr.2012.32.4.219.

Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases

• Hahm JR

• KMID: 2168213
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7599/hmr.2012.32.4.219

Abstract

Autoimmune thyroid disease is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO), thyroglobulin (Tg), and the thyroid simulating hormone receptor (TSHR). The thyroid gland is a site of autoantibody secretion in autoimmune thyroid disease by the B cells infiltrated into the thyroid. Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a chronic autoimmune thyroid disease, characterized by the occurrence of high levels of serum thyroid antibodies for TPO and Tg and goiter, is the most common type of thyroiditis. A firm, diffuse, painless goiter is the most common initial finding in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Some patients have atrophic thyroid glands rather than goiter, which may represent the final stage of thyroid failure in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Levothyroxine is the treatment of choice for Hashimoto's thyroiditis presenting overt hypothyroidism. Patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and a thyroid nodule should undergo fine-needle aspiration biopsy to rule out lymphoma and thyroid carcinoma. Graves' disease is the most common cause of spontaneous hyperthyroidism in patients younger than 40 years of age. Patients with Graves' disease reveal heterogeneous lymphocytic infiltration without follicular destruction and also show various clinical presentations.

Keyword

Hashimoto Disease; Graves Disease; Thyroiditis; Autoimmune

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Autoantibodies
B-Lymphocytes
Biopsy, Fine-Needle
Goiter
Graves Disease
Hashimoto Disease
Humans
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Iodide Peroxidase
Lymphoma
Thyroglobulin
Thyroid Diseases
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Neoplasms
Thyroid Nodule
Thyroiditis
Thyroxine
Antibodies
Autoantibodies
Iodide Peroxidase
Thyroglobulin
Thyroxine