Autoimmune thyroiditis: diagnosis and treatment

Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is an autoimmune disease with genetic Background: Women are more likely to develop AIT. In adulthood, AIT is the most frequent cause for aquired hypothyroidism. Cytotoxic T-lyphocyte antigen (CTL-4) may play a role in the etiology of the disease. Diagnosis is made by determination of elevated antibodies against thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin, and a hypoechoic pattern in ultrasound. In case of hypothyroidism a substitutive therapy with levothyrooxine is necessary. AIT may occur as postpartum thyroiditis or as a special entity as consequence of therapy with zytokines. © 2009 Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart.