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Thyroid function in patients treated with radioactive iodine for thyrotoxicosis.
British Medical Journal
|July 13, 1974
Summary
Radioactive iodine therapy for thyrotoxicosis can lead to elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in euthyroid patients. These elevated TSH levels do not necessarily indicate hypothyroidism and patients remain stable over a 12-month follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Thyroidology
Background:
- Thyrotoxicosis is a common endocrine disorder.
- Radioactive iodine (I-131) is a standard treatment for thyrotoxicosis.
- Post-treatment thyroid function monitoring is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the significance of elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in patients treated with radioactive iodine for thyrotoxicosis.
- To determine if elevated TSH levels in euthyroid patients indicate impending hypothyroidism.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 105 patients treated with I-131 for thyrotoxicosis at least two years prior were surveyed.
- Clinical assessment and routine thyroid function tests were performed.
- Serum TSH, triiodothyronine, protein-bound iodine, thyroxine, and cholesterol levels were measured.
- A subset of euthyroid patients were followed for one year.
Main Results:
- 81% of patients were euthyroid post-treatment.
- Of euthyroid patients, 46% had normal TSH and 54% had elevated TSH.
- Patients with elevated TSH had lower serum thyroxine and higher cholesterol levels, but remained within normal ranges.
- No patients developed overt hypothyroidism during the 12-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum TSH levels in patients treated with I-131 do not necessarily signify hypothyroidism.
- There is no evidence that this biochemical abnormality progresses to overt hypothyroidism within a year.