Prevalence of Thyrotropin Receptor Antibodies and Clinical Profile of Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Cross-Sectional Study

[helvella]

An interesting paper in many ways.

The association of TRab with Alopecia Areata;

The understanding of the issues of TRab and Graves - stimulating and others;

The sex differences discussed;

And the establishment of a closer-than-ever link between thyroid and Alopecia Areata including recommendations.

In terms of treatment, not much progress. But we often need to understand before treatments can be developed. And this appears to be a step in that direction.

Prevalence of Thyrotropin Receptor Antibodies and Clinical Profile of Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Cross-Sectional Study

Subject Area: Dermatology

Athanasios J. Stefanis; Alena Fialova; Petr Arenberger

Skin Appendage Disord (2025) 11 (1): 1–8.

doi.org/10.1159/000540220

Abstract

Introduction: Alopecia areata (AA) is associated with thyroid dysfunction and abnormal levels of thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies. One study detected high prevalence of thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAbs) in AA patients. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of TRAb levels in AA patients and to assess their association with thyroid hormones, other thyroid antibodies, AA severity, and other epidemiological variables. Methods: In this observational study, 139 patients (97 females, 42 males), aged 12 and above, with newly presenting, relapsing, or treatment-resistant AA were included. Medical histories were reviewed, alopecia severity was assessed using the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT), and blood tests measured thyroid hormones and autoantibodies. Results: The prevalence of TRAb was significantly higher in AA patients (23.6%) compared to the general population (1–2%) (p < 0.001). Elevated TRAb titers did not correlate with diagnosed thyroid dysfunction or treatment, abnormal thyroid function tests and autoantibodies, AA severity, duration, and onset. Male patients exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of abnormal TRAb titers compared to females (75.0% vs. 21.3%, p = 0.002). Conclusion: A significant proportion of AA patients presented with elevated TRAb levels, independent of thyroid hormone titers, other thyroid autoantibodies, or SALT score. Prevalence of abnormal TRAb levels was higher in males.

Journal Section:

Research Article

Keywords:

Thyrotropin receptor antibodies, Alopecia areata, Cross-sectional study, Thyrotropin receptor antibody, Thyroid autoantibodies

Open access:

karger.com/sad/article/11/1...

AND

doi.org/10.1159/000540220

[pennyannie]

Thank you - just wish this was known when I was 11 -

rather than have me walk around the playground looking like a cheetah with brown patches of iodine throughout my then sparse head of hair :

[helvella Administrator in reply to pennyannie]

For some reason, lots of Bengal cats have appeared on my screen recently. And you have just triggered that memory.

Bengal cat

[pennyannie in reply to helvella]

Oh stop it !!

[helvella Administrator in reply to pennyannie]

They are beautiful.

[pennyannie in reply to helvella]

No doubt - funnily enough - no not really - but - I have a full head of hair at 78 -

little grey and have had perms throughout almost all of my ' grown up ' years ' - compared to my sister 13 years younger than me who has Hashimoto's and has very fine and now becoming sparse facial hair line.

[helvella Administrator in reply to pennyannie]

Because we do not (in general) have any idea what members look like, I suspect many of us generate some sort of image (to go along with our avatars) that has absolutely no basis in reality.

I have you as a golden blonde (at least, that is what I think it is called).

[pennyannie in reply to helvella]

I'm a reddish/mid brown 5.10 of large build - I have a perm every 3 months which we then cut out so I just get some lift and volume and I blow dry out with little effort.

Funny - according to my Mum - my birth was very different to my brothers - 4 years older pre WW2 - and I was post WW2 - with my father medically discharged towards the end of the War - but we never knew why - my Mum would say - why did a very placid big man come out as skinny as a rake and with such a filthy temper !!

I decided as a teenager I wasn't going to have any children as I didn't want them having whatever I had ???

Looking at old photos I can see typical hypo body shapes on my father's mothers side.

[tattybogle in reply to helvella]

helvella , i have you down as a somewhat neater looking version of the BFG , living in a cave that smells of freshly baked bread (made out of ground snozcumber seeds ).... please don't disillusion me

[tattybogle]

every day's a school day ...it says hair follicles have TSH receptors .

[helvella Administrator in reply to tattybogle]

Not a surprise, really. But it is good to see it stated.

[tattybogle]

🥒