Diseases of the thyroid gland

According to modern international recommendations, a doctor can diagnose autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) if the patient necessarily has three factors::

• decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism);

• an increase in the volume of the gland (more than 18 cm cubic in women, more than 25 cm cubic in men) and/or characteristic changes in the structure of the thyroid gland detected during ultrasound;

• according to a special blood test, an increase in the titer (amount) of antibodies to thyroid tissues is at least 5-6 times, in particular, to thyrooperoxidase AT-TPO and thyroglobulin AT-TG.

By itself, the presence of a high antibody titer without a decrease in thyroid function does not entail any consequences. According to recent studies, antibodies to thyroid gland tissues are detected in 20% of the population! The only thing that can be dangerous is an increase in the titer of antibodies to the thyroid gland – the possible development of hypothyroidism after an indefinite period.

Causes of autoimmune thyroiditis

A large dose of iodine is more than 1 mg per day. A person can receive this amount of iodine only with certain medications (for example, amioradone contains up to 75 mg of iodine) and during radiopaque examinations. However, even in this case, the risk of developing AIT is low. Patients with high levels of antibodies to the thyroid gland do not need to limit the intake of iodine with food.

Is there a need for treatment?

To date, there are no methods of treatment and prevention of AIT with proven effectiveness in the world. Treatment, namely, replacement therapy, is required only in the case of already developed hypothyroidism, i.e. a decrease in thyroid function, while it should be noted that hypothyroidism itself is easily compensated by adequate thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

Risk group

However, patients with an elevated titer of antibodies to the thyroid gland are at risk of developing hypothyroidism.

These patients require medical supervision and regular examinations.:

• blood test for thyroid hormones (TSH, free T4) 1 time per year,

• Ultrasound of the thyroid gland in 1-2 years;

• A study of the level of circulating AT-TPO and/or AT-TG to assess the severity of the autoimmune process and the rate of its progression.

• Performing a puncture biopsy of the thyroid gland in AIT is impractical.