Thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid autoimmunity are predictive factors for the incidental discovery of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma during thyroidectomy.

Thyroid autoimmunity and higher preoperative serum TSH level were independent predictors of PTMC incidentally discovered during thyroid surgery. Larger prospective studies are needed to better identify possible risk factors for papillary thyroid carcinoma initiation and progression.