Soluble tumour necrosis factor-alpha receptor I and interleukin-6 as markers of activity in thyrotoxic Graves' disease.

Autoimmune thyroid diseases are thought to be mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFalpha and IL-6. Serum levels of cytokines may indicate activity levels of immune functions. We investigated serum levels of IL-6 and of the soluble receptor of TNFalpha in patients with newly diagnosed onset of Graves' hyperthyroidism.