Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Data regarding the thyroid gland evaluation in Polish adolescents are limited.

Aim: The aim of the study was to asses TSH and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) concentrations as well as thyroid morphology on ultrasound in Warsaw adolescents in regard of family history of thyroid disease.

Materials and methods: The study was carried out on a group of 480 adolescents (285 girls and 195 boys), aged 17–18 years, from two Warsaw high schools. All subjects were asked to answer questionnaire regarding family history of thyroid disease. We measured serum levels of TSH and anti-TPO and performed thyroid ultrasound.

Results: Positive family history of thyroid disease declared 43% of the subjects. The mean thyroid volume was 9.85 ml (4.54–24.69, S.D.±3.31) for females, and 13.31 ml (5.46–60.95, S.D.±6.89) for males and did not differ significantly between subjects with and without thyroid disease in family. In the group with positive family history of thyroid disease abnormal TSH concentration was found in 3.2%, elevated anti-TPO concentration in 6.4% and abnormal ultrasound thyroid image in 30% of subjects, while in the group with negative family history in 2.6, 2.6 and 14% respectively. The most common pathology in both groups was generalized thyroid hypoechogenicity (16.7 vs 12.7%). Thyroid nodules were found in 8.8 and 5.6% of patients respectively. Increased levels of TSH, anti-TPO, thyroid hypoechogenicity and focal lesions were significantly more common in girls than in boys in both groups. Abnormal ultrasound image was more sensitive indicator of hypothyroidism than elevated levels of anti-TPO antibodies.

Conclusions: The results indicate that thyroid pathology concerns about 1/3 of adolescents with positive family history of thyroid disease and is substantially less frequent in those without thyroid diseases in family.