Comparison of serum pf-4 levels in newly diagnosed patients with autoimmune subclinical hypothroidizm

Introduction: Hashimoto thyroiditis, also called chronic autoimmune thyroiditis or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient areas in the world. Recent evidences has supported that thyroid follicles and thyroid-infiltrating lymphocytes produce CC and CXC. In this study, we aim to evalute the role of PF-4, a chemokine, in the pathogenesis of thyroid autoimmunity, also change in its level in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, especially at the onset of diagnosis and after achieving euthyroid state with thyroid hormone replacement. Materials-methods: 30 patients with subacute autoimmune hypothyroidism (SAH) and 30 cases in control group were included in this study. Laboratory tests before and after treatment were studied in SAH group. TSH, fT3, fT4, anti-TPO, anti-TG, lipid profile, fasting glucose, CRP ve PF-4 levels of cases were studied. Independent-samples t test was used in comparing the groups, and paired- samples t test was used in comparison of analysis of analysis of levels before and after treatment. Pearson correlation analysis was used for correlation of analyses of parameters. SPSS 18.0 computer-based programme was used for statistical analysis and P<0.05 value were accepted to be significant. Results: Mean age in SAH and control group were 34.5±10,5 and 32.6±10.4 years. In SAH group, TSH, PF-4, LDL, T. cholesterol, TG and CRP levels showed statistically significant decrease after treatment (for TSH and CRP; p <0.001, PF-4; p=0.036, LDL; p=0.004, T. Cholesterol; p=0.013, TG; p=0.007). However, ST4 level remains significantly high (p <0.001). PF-4 level showed statistically significant negative correlation with age and fT3 level. In SAH cases, it was observed that as the fT3 level and age increase, PF-4 levels decrease. Conclusion: In this study, we found that PF-4 levels decreased after achieving euthyroid state with thyroid hormone replacement in SAH group. These results imply the role of treatment in decreasing the enlamatuar process in thyroid tissue. Keywords: Subclinical autoimmune hypothyroidism, PF-4