Abstract

 

Thyroid function tests and anti-microsomal antibody (anti-M) levels of 33 patients (30 female, 3 male) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 16 healthy subjects (15 female, 1 male) were studied as control group. Anti-M was positive in 3 of 33 patients with SLE and in 1 of 16 control subjects, and there were no statistically significant differences between two groups. There were hypothyroidism in 4 of SLE patients and all of the control subjects were euthyroid. Hypothyroidism rate in SLE patient was significantly higher when compared to the control group. Total and free T3 levels and total and free T4 levels of SLE patients group were significantly lower and TSH levels were significantly higher when compared to the control group. In conclusion, hypothyroidism and ’’euthyroid sick syndrome” (ESS) incidence were high in patients with SLE, when compared to the control group. Although there was no statistically significant difference for anti-M positivity in 3 of 4 patients with hypothyroidism suggests that autoimmune thyroid disease is a frequent finding in SLE patients. [Journal of Turgut Özal Medical Center 1996;3(2):80-84]

Key Words: Systemic lupus erythematosus, thyroid function tests