Thyroid CT value and associated factors in autoimmune thyroid diseases and surgical controls
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Thyroid CT value is associated with intrathyroidal iodine content and may provide indirect information about thyroid functional status. However, their changes in autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) remain unclear. We compared CT values among surgical controls (SC), Graves’ disease (GD), and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), and identified independent associated factors. This study included 314 patients: 94 GD patients scheduled for radioiodine and 220 surgical patients with pathologically and biochemically confirmed diagnoses (84 HT and 136 SC). Non-contrast CT values were measured by region-of-interest method at 130 kVp. Clinical variables and a composite thyroid function index (CTFI) integrating four THs were analyzed. Thyroid CT values decreased stepwise from SC (106.1 ± 14.2 HU) to HT (93.7 ± 16.8 HU) and GD (61.6 ± 13.6 HU) (all P < 0.001). The reference range for thyroid of SC was 78.31–133.87 HU. In GD, CT values were negatively associated with disease duration, thyroid volume, and iodine early uptake and turnover. Higher CTFI, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and thyrotropin receptor antibody (TSHRAb) independently correlated with lower CT values in GD. In HT, only TPOAb was independently associated with lower CT values. In SC, higher CTFI, age, and thyroglobulin antibody, and lower TSH, were independently associated with lower CT values. CTFI partially mediated the association of TSHRAb with CT value in GD and showed significant indirect effects for age in GD and sex in SC. The decline in thyroid CT value may reflect underlying thyroid destruction and iodine depletion, supporting its potential as a biomarker of thyroid function. Not applicable.
Source: BMC Endocrine Disorders
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W7225818556
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