Males thyroid dysfunction

In 106 patients (76 women) with multiple sclerosis who received interferon beta-la or beta-lb for up to 84 (median 42) months, there was baseline thyroid autoimmunity in 8.5% and hypothyroidism in 2.8% (562). Thyroid dysfunction (80% hypothyroidism, 92% subclinical, 56% transient) developed in 24% (68% with autoimmunity) and autoimmunity in 23% (46% with dysfunction), without a significant difference between the two cytokines 68% of the cases of dysfunction occurred within the first year. Thyroid dysfunction was generally subclinical and was transient in over half of cases. Autoimmunity was the only predictive factor for the development of dysfunction (relative risk = 8.9), but sustained disease was also significantly associated with male sex. 

Amiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism seems to be more common in males than in females and can be found in up to 15% of treated patients, especially in iodine-deficient areas (Kennedy et al, 1989). A comparison between the incidences of thyroid dysfunction in areas with low iodine intake, such as Tuscany (Italy), with that in an iodine-replete area, such as Massachusetts (USA), showed the following distribution hyperthyroidism was more common in Tuscany, with an incidence of 9.6%, than in Massachusetts, with an incidence of 2% (Martino et al, 1984). However, amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism is a more common problem in areas with iodine-repletion 22% incidence in Massachusetts vs. 5% in Tuscany (Martino et al., 1984). Amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism is often found in... 

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