Autoimmune thyroid diseases are the most common autoimmune endocrine
disorders. Expression of thyroid dysfunction is dependent upon the interaction of
genetic factors and environmental exposures. The genes identified so far account for
only a small portion of genetic susceptibility for autoimmune thyroid disease. A number
of environmental exposures are associated with exposing thyroid dysfunction in
subjects with autoimmune thyroid disease and some are clearly identified as inducing
thyroid autoimmunity although this is actually less common. Understanding the
relationship between environment and the genetic background should help in
identifying patients at risk and may provide therapeutic options for the future.
Keywords: Graves’ disease, hashimoto’s thyroiditis, thyroid autoimmunity.
