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Gender Differences in Thyroid Function among Euthyroid Subjects with Positive and Negative Thyroid Antibodies (Antibodies to Thyroid Peroxidase and/or Thyroglobulin)

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to demonstrate gender differences in thyroid function among euthyroid subjects, that had negative values of antibodies, and euthyroid subjects, that had positive antibodies (antibodies to thyroid peroxidase—AntiTPO and/or antibodies to thyroglobulin—AntiTG). A total of 200 clinically healthy people (85 women and 115 men) were enrolled in this study and classified into groups depending on gender and level of autoantibodies in the blood. Group A (59 women and 100 men) had normal values of thyroid hormones and negative values of antibodies according to the test instructions, i.e. AntiTPO < 50 IU/mL and/or AntiTG < 100 IU/mL. Group B (26 women and 15 men) had normal values of thyroid hormones and positive antibodies, i.e. AntiTPO ≥ 50 IU/mL and/or AntiTG ≥ 100 IU/mL. Serum hormones of the pituitary-thyroid system, thyroglobulin and antibodies concentration was measured by enzyme immunoassay. Analysis of gender differences in thyroid function in individuals with positive thyroid antibodies found statistically significantly higher T4 values in women compared to men. Men with positive antibodies had an insignificant increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels against the background of a statistically significant decrease in the values of the (T3 + T4)/TSH ratio. Women with positive antibodies were characterized by a statistically significant decrease in thyroglobulin levels. In all analyzed groups, thyroglobulin negatively correlated with AntiTG, and in men of Group B this relationship became stronger. In Group B in both men and women AntiTPO had negative correlation with (T3 + T4)/TSH ratio. Our results indicate that the measurement of thyroid indices, in combination with the determination of serum levels of thyroid autoantibodies and thyroglobulin, may be useful in identifying euthyroid subjects at potential risk of developing thyroid disease and thus be helpful in making early treatment decisions to prevent a prolonged course of the disease.

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Funding

The reported study was funded by the FCIAR UrB RAS according to the research project: “Photoperiodic dependence of the physiological effects of dopamine on the functional activity of the pituitary-thyroid gland and pituitary-gonadal systems in inhabitants of the Arctic territories” (no. 122011800392-3).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, Arkhangelsk, Russia

    I. N. Molodovskaya, E. V. Tipisova, A. E. Elfimova & V. A. Alikina

Authors
  1. I. N. Molodovskaya
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  2. E. V. Tipisova
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  3. A. E. Elfimova
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  4. V. A. Alikina
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Contributions

I.N. Molodovskaya—data analysis, literature review, writing the article; E.V. Tipisova—study design, results analysis; A.E. Elfimova—collection and processing of material, involved in writing the article; V.A. Alikina—collection and processing of material. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to I. N. Molodovskaya.

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COMPLIANCE WITH ETHICAL STANDARDS

This study was conducted in accordance with ethical principles of the WMA Declaration of Helsinki (1964, ed. 2013) and approved by the FECIAR UrB RAS Ethics Committee (Minutes no. 2 dated November 04, 2016, Archangelsk).

INFORMED CONSENT

Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

COMPETING INTERESTS

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Molodovskaya, I.N., Tipisova, E.V., Elfimova, A.E. et al. Gender Differences in Thyroid Function among Euthyroid Subjects with Positive and Negative Thyroid Antibodies (Antibodies to Thyroid Peroxidase and/or Thyroglobulin). Hum Physiol 49, 88–94 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119722600242

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