Thyroid dysfunction in patients with Vitiligo

• Thyroid dysfunction comprises hypothyroidism and hyperthryoidism.
• Autoantibodies against thyroglobulin and thyroperoxidase are found and the thyroid can still remian functional (normal levels of TSH + F4)
• 4-21% of patients have these autoantibodies

• The prospective study (626 patients) found that:
  • 21% had thyroid stigma (n=131)
  • subclinical hypothyroidsism was found in 51 patients

• Results suggest that tests should be done when:
  • higher age
  • female sex (role of oestrogens)
  • disease activity in the last 6 months
  • affected surface more than 9%
  • involvement of the hands and/or feet.

Source of information: Ezzedine K. Autoimmune thyroid stigma in vitiligo. European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Annual Meeting – Istanbul, Turkey, 2-6 October 2013