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Serum thyrotropin as a risk factor for thyroid malignancy in euthyroid subjects with thyroid micronodule
Seong-Su Moon1, Young-Sil Lee, In-Kyu Lee
1Department of Internal Medicine, Dongguk University School of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea.
Head & Neck
|December 1, 2011
Summary
Elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels increase the risk of thyroid microcarcinoma in euthyroid individuals with thyroid micronodules. Monitoring TSH aids in assessing cancer risk for these patients.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a known risk factor for differentiated thyroid cancer.
- The association between TSH levels and thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC) in euthyroid individuals with thyroid micronodules requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if TSH levels are a risk factor for thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC) in euthyroid subjects presenting with a thyroid micronodule.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 483 euthyroid subjects with thyroid micronodules.
- Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed on all participants.
- Serum TSH levels were measured, and diagnoses were confirmed via cytology and histology.
Main Results:
- Patients with TSH levels above the population mean exhibited a significantly higher malignancy rate (10.8%) compared to those below the mean (4.8%; p = .025).
- Multivariate logistic regression identified TSH as an independent risk factor for malignancy in euthyroid patients with thyroid micronodules (OR, 1.449; 95% CI, 1.033-2.033; p = .031).
Conclusions:
- Measuring TSH levels in individuals with thyroid micronodules can assist in estimating their risk of developing thyroid cancer.
- TSH level assessment is a valuable tool for risk stratification in patients with thyroid micronodules.
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