Detection of TSH-binding inhibiting immunoglobulins in patients with Graves' disease and non toxic goiter

Abstract

The test of TSH-binding inhibiting antibodies is proving to be very useful for diagnosis and prognosis of hyperthyroidism. The aim of this investigation was to detect, with radioreceptor assay system, the incidence of TSH-binding inhibiting immunoglobulins (TIBAb) in our people. Therefore were examined sera of 19 patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism (150 and 40, mean age 39.9 years, range 24-62) and 9 patients with non toxic goiter (70, 20 mean age 46.6 years, range 25-46) at the first assessment, during treatment along twelve months and after another four months at the end of drug management. 12/19 patients with Graves' syndrome were TIBAB positive (sensitivity 63%) before drug therapy. The prevalence of TIBAb in sera increased after therapy (14/19) but values at the end declined. Three patients (two with persistent high levels of TIBAb at the end of treatment) relapsed. TIBAb were negative in patients with non toxic goiter (and in all normal subjects).