Classification of hyperthyreosis using enzyme immunoassays for the detection of membrane and thyroglobulin antibodies

: Clinical signs and the determination of thyroid autoantibodies are usually used for the classification of hyperthyroidism. We examined the usefulness of two ELISA for the determination of membrane and thyroglobulin autoantibodies. 117 patients with Graves' disease, 53 patients with toxic goitre and 47 patients with unclear hyperthyroidism were inspected. The best classification into immunogenic and nonimmunogenic hyperthyroidism were achieved with the membrane antibodies at a borderline titre of greater than 1:400. The thyroglobulin antibodies were also useful and increased the security of the classification. We conclude that both tests are suitable for the classification of patients with hyperthyroidism and should be applied to the first diagnostic step in the immunological diagnostic of the thyroid.