Determination of serum neopterin levels in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases

Abstract

An elevated serum level of neopterin indicates the activation of the cellular immune system. Aim: The objective was to find a correlation in autoimmune thyroid patients between neopterin levels and the clinical stage of the disease and to examine whether neopterin can predict the relapse of the disease. Methods: Serum neopterin, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody levels were determined in 137 patients with Graves’ disease (in different stages), 25 with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 14 with toxic adenoma. Results: The neopterin levels were significantly higher in patients with Graves’ disease (hyper-, eu-, hypothyroidism and relapsed hyperthyroidism) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Positive correlation was found between neopterin and anti-thyroglobulin and anti-tyhroid peroxidase antibody levels, but no correlation was detected between neopterin levels and thyroid hormones, thyroid stimulating hormone values and antibodies against thyroid stimulating hormone receptors. Conclusions: Higher level of serum neopterin reflects an underlying autoimmune process, and does not correlate with changes in thyroid hormone levels. Determination of neopterin level can be an important indicator in the exacerbation of autoimmune processes. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1127–1131.