Role of Follicular T Cells in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Hashimoto thyroiditis, also known as chronic autoimmune thyroiditis and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease in which thyroid cells are destroyed via cell and antibody-mediated immune processes. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries. In contrast, the most common cause of hypothyroidism worldwide is an inadequate dietary intake of iodine. The pathophysiology of Hashimoto thyroiditis involves the formation of antithyroid antibodies that attack the thyroid tissue, causing progressive fibrosis. The diagnosis can be challenging, and consequently, the condition is sometimes not diagnosed until late in the disease process. The most common laboratory findings demonstrate elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and low thyroxine (T4) levels, coupled with increased antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies and antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies .

Recent years have shown that Hashimoto thyroiditis development depends on an immune defect in an individual with genetic susceptibility together with environmental factors .

Inclusion criteria

• The study will include 45 Hashimoto's patients attending the out clinics of Endocrinology Department of Assiut university hospital. In addition, 45 healthy blood donors will be included as controls. The diagnosis of hashimoto's thyroiditis will be determined according to the criteria of American Thyroid Association;

• Having symptoms of hypothyroidism, and a blood test shows an underactive thyroid gland [an elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level with or without a low thyroid hormone (free T4 or total T4) level].
• have elevated thyroid antibody levels.
• ultrasound examination demonstrating characteristic heterogeneous echotexture.
• results of thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) examinations meeting HT cytology diagnostic criteria.

Exclusion criteria

• -We should exclude other causes of thyroiditis, such as De Quervain's thyroiditis, Riedel's thyroiditis, and suppurative thyroiditis and also exclude other autoimmune diseases for example; type1 diabetes&Rheumatoid arthritis,and other diseases which cause hypothyroidism as carcinoma and surgery.