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Thyroid function and circulating antithyroid antibodies in myasthenia gravis

From the Neurologische Universitätsklinik, Würzburg, West Germany (Drs. Kiessling, Pflughaupt, Ricker, and Mertens) and the Rechenzentrum der Universität, Würzburg, West Germany (Dr. Haubitz)

Evaluation of thyroid function in 104 patients with myasthenia gravis by T3, T4, TBG, and TSH radioimmunoassays and the TRH-stimulation test in 47 patients disclosed thyrotoxicosis in 5.7%, preclinical hyperthyroidism probably due to autonomously functioning thyroid tissue in about 10% of patients stimulated with TRH, hypo-thyroidism in 1.9%, and preclinical hypothyroidism in 3.4%. Eighty-four percent were euthyroid. Antithyroid antibody activity was detected by hemagglutination tests. Twelve patients had antithyroglobulin antibodies (Tab), and 28 had antimicrosomal antibodies (Mab). Among the euthyroid myasthenic patients, 7 were Tab-positive and 20 were Mab-positive. Euthyroid antibody-positive patients had a significantly higher TSH response in the TRH stimulation test and may be at high risk for hypothyroidism.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Kiessling, Neurologische Universitätsklinik, Josef-Schneider Strasse 11, 0-8700 Würzburg, West Germany.

Accepted for publication August 8, 1980.

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