Abstract | BACKGROUND: Measurement of serum IgG4 had been suggested to distinguish the unique subtypes of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) which demonstrated patterns of fluctuating between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. However, the clinical utility of serum IgG4 measurement is inconclusive due to few studies having addressed these unusual patients compared with the specificity of serum IgG4 in healthy patients. AIM: To investigate whether elevated serum IgG4 levels could be used as a marker to identify fluctuating AITD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RESULTS: A series of 20 Thai patients with clinical evolution of AITD was analyzed with a median follow-up at 92 months (range 3-380 months). Elevated serum IgG4 levels were not found in fluctuating AITD patients but were found in 5% of the control GD patients, 2.5% of the control HT, and 2.5% of healthy subjects which were not statistically significant between each group. CONCLUSION: Our results contrasted with those of previous studies from Japan which reported elevated serum IgG4 as a marker to identify subset of AITD patients. At present, the clinical utility of serum IgG4 measurements in AITD is inconclusive and requires further investigation.
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Authors | Yotsapon Thewjitcharoen, Sirinate Krittiyawong, Sriurai Porramatikul, Ekgaluck Wanothayaroj, Nampetch Lekpittaya, Jirapat Jeamjiraprasert, Soontaree Nakasatien, Thep Himathongkam |
Journal | Journal of clinical & translational endocrinology
(J Clin Transl Endocrinol)
Vol. 8
Pg. 35-40
(Jun 2017)
ISSN: 2214-6237 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 29067257
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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