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There are no univocal experimental data in literature about T cell clone alterations in the peripheral blood during Hashimoto's thyroiditis (TH), autoimmune disease, and during subacute thyroiditis (TSA), an inflammatory thyroid lesion with possibility of "self-perpetuation". The object of our research was to examine the T cell clones, soluble fraction of interleukin 2 receptor and HLA-DR modifications in patients with TH and TSA compared with healthy population. Our results show significant increase of sIL-2r in the TSA compared with normal subjects and with patients TH, where on the contrary, a constant increase of HLA-DR was observed.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of thyroid autoantibodies and frequent coexistence of other autoimmune disorders. The object of our research was to examine the peripheral blood and fine-needle cytology modifications in patients with this disease during therapy with Timopentina. Our results suggested a possible therapeutic effect of Timopentina, as an alternative to traditional cortisone treatment.

Lithium, a monovalent cation used mainly in the management of certain psychiatric disorders, appears to act on thyroid function and to interfere with T3 and T4 secretion. The authors have followed 10 patients treated with lithium salts for two years and have monitored some parameters of thyroid function. Clinical and laboratory signs of hypothyroidism appeared in one case and subsided after withdrawal of lithium treatment.