Prevalence of endogenous normal thyroid function 3 years after hemithyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer
Authors' conclusion
One-third of differentiated thyroid cancer patients require levothyroxine treatment 3 years after hemithyroidectomy if postoperative thyroid-stimulating hormone levels up to 4 mIU/L are accepted. Avoidance of levothyroxine treatment happens at the expense of a significant increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone levels.
Study context
- Population
- Eastern Danish patients after hemithyroidectomy for low-risk DTC, followed without LT4 if TSH <4 mIU/L per Danish guideline; median age 53 (IQR 43–65) years, 80% women143 not on LT4 preoperatively
- Participants
- 162 patients
- Outcome
- Prevalence of endogenous normal thyroid function, accepting postoperative TSH increase up to 4 mIU/L
- Follow-up
- 3 years
Methodological detailsretrospective chart review
- Retrospective chart review
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Prevalence of endogenous normal thyroid function at 1 year
80%
Prevalence of endogenous normal thyroid function at 2 years
69%
Prevalence of endogenous normal thyroid function at 3 years
66%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Hypothyroidism (TSH >4.0 mIU/L), replaced with LT4 · 1, 2 and 3 years
- At 1 year
- 20%
- At 2 years
- 31%
- At 3 years
- 34%
TSH in patients not on LT4 · 1, 2 and 3 years
- TSH significantly increased within the normal range
- P < 0.0001
Completion thyroidectomy due to growth of preexisting nodules
- Completion thyroidectomy
- 4/143 (3%)
Recurrence
- No patient had a recurrence
Original publication
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →