THE ASSOCIATION OF AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

There has been controversy over the possible association of antithyroid with RA (Thyroiditis with Rheumatoid Arthritis). We have therefore compared the prevalence thyroid antibody anti thyroglobuline (anti-TG) and abnormal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in 57 RA patients with 20 aged matched control. 9 (16%) of the RA patients had thyroid Ab whereas no one of control had thyroid Ab (p 0.01). RA patients had TSH levels between (6-25 mU/L), while all control group had TSH levels within normal range (p 0.01). These results suggests that RA is associated with RA have minor hypothyroidism.