Ehogenicity of thyroid gland on ultrasonography in primary hypothyroidism

Abstract

Background. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between echogenicity of thyroid gland and low thyroid function. Methods. The study group included 60 patients, with normal and low thyroid function, who visited the Outpatient Department of the Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders in the period from April 2008 to October 2009. Echogenicity of the thyroid gland in all patients was evaluated by ultrasonography as well as serum concentrations of TSH, fT4 and thyroid auto antibody (anti-TPO). To find out the association between thyroid ehogenicity with mean TSH and anti-TPO in different ages, we divided the patients into five subgroups according to age. Results. Patients with decreased echogenicity had a higher mean TSH compared with patients with normal echogenicity (2.77 mIU/l vs. 1.75 mIU/l) (p=0.04). Differences were more significant in patients with markedly decreased echogenicity (6.34 mIU/l vs. 1.75 mIU/l) (p< 0.0001). Patients with reduced echogenicity had a higher risk of having anti-TPO than patients without normal echogenicity (p<0.001). This association was stronger when echogenicity was markedly decreased. According to age, only younger population (19-29 years) with decreeased and markedly decreased echogenicity had significantly higher mean TSH and anti-TPO values. Conclusions. Thyroid ultrasonography changes can be used as an early sign of low thyroid function, especially in younger population.