Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
Published on: June 9, 2023
Higher preablative serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level predicts radioiodine ablation effectiveness in patients
Ismaheel O Lawal1, Nozipho E Nyakale, Lerwine M Harry
1aDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria bDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Introduction:
Radioiodine ablation of remnant thyroid tissue is an important adjuvant therapy of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) after thyroidectomy. Elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level is necessary for successful ablation. The optimum level of serum TSH level necessary for successful radioiodine ablation of well-DTC is, however, yet to be defined. We aimed to determine whether higher serum TSH level will result in a better rate of complete ablation of well-DTC using iodine-131 (I) following initial thyroidectomy.
Patients And Methods:
A total of 109 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer were divided into four treatment groups on the basis of serum TSH levels. They were followed up from 6 to 12 months after treatment with stimulated serum thyroglobulin level and a diagnostic whole-body scan with radioactive iodine I to determine early response.
Results:
Sixty-four patients had papillary thyroid carcinoma, whereas 45 patients had follicular carcinoma. An excellent response was observed in 66.7% of patients with TSH level more than 90 μIU/ml, 72.2% in the group with TSH level of 60-89 μIU/ml, 48.5% when TSH was 30-59 μIU/ml and 26.7% when TSH was less than 30 μIU/ml (P=0.002).
Conclusion:
Higher preablative serum TSH predicts a better rate of ablation in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer treated with I after thyroidectomy.
