Down's syndrome and thyroid disorder.
The thyroid status of 106 adults with Down's syndrome was assessed. Six were previously diagnosed as hypothyroid and were already receiving thyroxine. A further 37 patients showed abnormal thyroid function. Biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism (T4 less than 50 nmol/l and T.S.H. greater than 4 mu/less than) was found in one person. Six patients were found to have an unequivocally elevated T.S.H. but normal T4 (T4 greater than 50 nmol/l and T.S.H. greater than 20 mu/l) and 29 were found to have a modest elevation of T.S.H. but normal T4 concentration (T4 greater than 50 nmol/l and T.S.H. between 4 and 20 mu/l). There was one patient with mild thyrotoxicosis (T4 = 180 nmol/l and T.S.H. less than 0.1 mu/l). Clinical findings were of little use in making a diagnosis of hypothyroidism in this group of patients. A raised level of thyroid microsomal auto-antibodies was found in about a third of the patients, this occurred more commonly in females and slightly more often in those with a raised thyroid stimulating hormone. The importance of this is discussed. Recommendations for regular biochemical screening are made.
Dinani
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S
Department of Psychiatry, Brentry Hospital, Bristol, England.
Carpenter
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood
D001323:Autoantibodies; C056626:thyroid microsomal antibodies; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine