Hashimotoʹs Thyroiditis, but not Treatment of Hypothyroidism, Is Associated with Altered TGF-β1 Levels

Background gh the role of cytokines in the development of Hashimotoʹs thyroiditis has already been established, its pathogenesis has not yet been clearly elucidated. The aim of our study was to investigate serum transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels in patients with Hashimotoʹs thyroiditis as well as the effect of achieving euthyroidism by levothyroxine replacement on TGF-β1 levels. s nine female, newly diagnosed hypothyroid Hashimotoʹs thyroiditis patients (16 overt, 13 subclinical hypothyroid) and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. s TGF-β1 levels were lower in the Hashimotoʹs thyroiditis group when compared with control cases. Although significant differences were noted in lipid levels and in anthropometric measurements following levothyroxine replacement, serum TGF-β1 levels remained unchanged. sions ta suggest that altered TGF-β1 levels are associated with the presence of Hashimotoʹs thyroiditis, not with the treatment of thyroid dysfunction. Autoimmunity may have been triggered as a result of decreased immunosuppressive effect induced by depressed TGF-β1 levels in patients with Hashimotoʹs thyroiditis.