Prevalence of Anti-Thyroid Antibodies in Patients with Primary Thyroid Disorders

Abstract

Objective: To determine prevalence of thyroid antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin antibodies among patients with primary thyroid disorders.
Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital, July 2003 to August 2004.
Results: Antimicrosomal antibodies (anti-TPOAbs) were detected in 51.4% of all the patients while 36.1% tested positive for the antithyroglobulin antibodies (anti- TgAbs). Among the hyperthyroid patients, anti-TPOAbs and anti-TgAbs were in 50.8% and 33% respectively while 53.3% and 46.7% of the hypothyroid patients tested positive for anti-TPOAbs and anti-TgAbs respectively. Most of the patients who showed positivity for anti-TgAbs (88.5%) also tested positive for anti-TPOAbs.
Conclusion: More than half of the patients with primary thyroid disorders show presence
of autoimmune thyroid markers, with anti TPO antibodies being more prevalent.