[Effects of thyrotropin-suppressive therapy in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma]

Patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma are commonly treated long-term with thyrotropin (TSH)-suppressive thyroxine replacement therapy, which lead to a state of subclinical hyperthyroidism. Many studies including meta-analysis, there are increasing risk in the state of subclinical hyperthyroidism, especially in bone metabolism and cardiac dysfunction. Although there is a marked discrepancy in various therapeutic opinions between Japan and other countries, TSH suppressive therapy would be advisable to aim at TSH levels in the low normal range in low risk patients, whereas TSH levels should be suppressed in non-cured or high risk patients.