Thyroid auto immune antibodies in children with Type-I Diabetes mellitus in relation to diabetes control

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: As an autoimmune disease, Type-1 diabetes mellitus (DM) may be associated with other autoimmune disorders, the presence of thyroid antibodies could be negatively impact the diabetic control. Our objective was to investigate thyroid autoimmunity in a cohort of children and adolescents with Type-1 diabetes and the Influence of the presence of thyroid autoimmune abnormalities on the control of diabetes in group of Iraqi pediatric patients with Type-I D.M. METHODS: This study was conducted at the Medical City Complex, Children Welfare Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. This study was carried out from the first of January 2016 till the end of September 2017. Data were analyzed from 150 patients with Type-1 diabetes, aged 1–18 years who were treated and are coming for regular follow up in the diabetic clinic. Thyroid functions tests, Antibodies to thyroglobulin (anti-TG) and thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO) were measured, documented and correlated with diabetic control according to glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level. RESULTS: In the total of 150 patients, positive Antibodies to thyroglobulin (anti TG) were more in ≤3 years duration group of Diabetes mellitus(DM) and negative anti TG was less in the >3 years duration of DM group with statistically significant results (p=0.043), Regarding the distribution of thyroid antibodies (AB) according to HbA1c group, there was progressive positive anti thyroperoxidase (anti TPO) titer with glycemic status, good glycemic control had the lowest positive anti TPO titer and poor glycemic control group had the highest positive anti TPO titer and the result was statistically significant (p=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid autoimmunity may be associated with poor diabetic control and elevated TSH levels, indicating subclinical hypothyroidism that my affect the diabetic control.