INTERFERON

   In autistic children abnormally elevated interferon levels are seen in plasma (Stubbs,1995).

    This is further hard evidence that autism is caused by low Free T3, as interferon is well established to cause low Free T3 levels (hypothyroidism). This kowledge arises from the applications of interferon in cancer treatment. It is well established that interferon therapy leads to hypothyroidism (Gisslinger et al, 1992).

   Interferon levels are reported  higher in hypothyroidism and lower in hyperthyroidism(Setoguchi et al, 1991).

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Gisslinger H, Gilly B, Woloszczuk W, Mayr WR, Havelec L, Linkesch W, Weissel M - "Thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism during long-term treatment with recombinant interferon-alpha" Clin Exp Immunol 90(3):363-7 (1992) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=1458673&form=6&db=m&Dopt=r

Setoguchi J, Nakano K, Tsutsumi Y, Aoki S, Sawada M, Hasegawa G, Kanatsuna T, Kondo M - "Interferon-alpha and gamma product in peripheral blood of patients with thyroid diseases" Nippon Naibunpi Gakkai Zasshi 67(5):630-5 (1991) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=1907928&form=6&db=m&Dopt=r

Stubbs G - "Interferonemia and autism" J Autism Dev Disord 5(1):71-3 (1995) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&uid=7608036&Dopt=r