In people with Graves' disease, a protein called Connexin 43 is found at higher levels in the thyroid, while in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it is found at lower levels, compared to healthy thyroid tissue. This difference in protein levels is linked to whether the thyroid is overactive or underactive.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Community contributions welcome

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Differential expression of connexin 43 in human autoimmune thyroid disease.

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2010 May

Scientists found that a protein called connexin 43, which helps thyroid cells talk to each other, is more active in an overactive thyroid (Graves') and less active in an underactive thyroid (Hashimoto's). This matches the claim that changes in cell communication are tied to whether the thyroid is too active or too slow.

Contradicting (0)

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No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Differential expression of connexin 43 in human autoimmune thyroid disease.

Score: 40

DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2009.02.001

Similar Assertions

In two common autoimmune thyroid diseases, Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the levels of a protein called connexin 43 differ in opposite directions, suggesting that how thyroid cells communicate with each other may be fundamentally different in these conditions.

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In autoimmune thyroid disease, changes in the levels of a protein called connexin 43 are linked to differences in how well the thyroid gland produces and releases hormones.

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In human thyroid tissue, scientists can detect Connexin 43 at both the protein and genetic message levels, indicating that this protein is present and likely involved in how thyroid cells communicate with each other, as previously observed in animal studies.

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Connexin 43 is a protein found in human thyroid cells that helps cells communicate with each other. It is present in both healthy thyroid tissue and tissue affected by autoimmune disease, suggesting its presence is not dependent on disease state.

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