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Updated: Aug 12, 2025

Author Spotlight: Integrating Ultrasound Imaging with Biochemical Markers for Thyroid Disease Diagnosis
Published on: February 9, 2024
The Thyroid Pathologist Meets Therapeutic Pharmacology.
Christopher M Sande1, Isabella Tondi Resta1, Virginia A Livolsi2
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 6 Founders Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
This review details how various drugs, including radioactive iodine and antibiotics, cause significant morphological changes in the thyroid gland. Pathologists must recognize these drug-induced histologic alterations for accurate diagnosis and patient management.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Pharmacological agents can alter thyroid function and test measurements.
- Certain drug classes induce distinct morphological changes in the thyroid gland.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the histological significance of various drug classes for thyroid pathologists.
- To correlate drug-induced histological changes with functional consequences.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on drug classes affecting thyroid morphology.
- Description of histological findings associated with specific agents.
Main Results:
- Radioactive iodine causes atrophy, fibrosis, and atypia.
- Minocycline can result in a black thyroid.
- Amiodarone and checkpoint inhibitors induce thyroiditis and hypothyroidism.
- Psychotropic drugs may cause inflammatory changes.
Conclusions:
- Recognizing drug-induced thyroid pathology is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Histological changes vary based on drug class and patient's pre-therapy condition.
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