THYROID-STIMULATING ANTIBODY AND THYROTROPIN-BINDING INHIBITORY IMMUNOGLOBULIN ACTIVITY IN HYPOTHYROID PATIENTS WHO SUBSEQUENTLY DEVELOPED THYROTOXICOSIS

Although abnormal thyroid-stimulating and -blocking antibodies have been demonstrated in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders, a direct correlation is not always observed. Thyroid-stimulating antibody, thyrotropin-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin, and thyroid-stimulating blocking antibody levels were determined in three hypothyroid patients who subsequently developed hyperthyroidism. Thyroid-stimulating antibodies levels were normal in one, elevated in another, and unmeasured in the third hypothyroid patient, but became elevated in all patients with the onset of hyperthyroidism. There was discordance, however, in one patient who had markedly elevated thyroid-stimulating antibodies and TSH-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin levels when she was hypothyroid. The data indicate that thyroidal responses to the abnormal stimulating antibodies may differ among patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.