Thyroid function in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. Etiopathogenesis of the disease is not known. It is supposed that immunological disturbances play a role, which is among others confirmed by coexistence of ALS with autoimmunological disorders, including thyroid diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate the thyroid function in ALS through the measurement of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the serum of ALS patients. The hormones level was measured by radioimmunoassay method. The study showed that the hormones level in ALS patients was not different from controls, and the clinical parameters of the disease did not influence the measured hormones level.