Clinical analysis of the changing trend of serum thyrotropin in patients after hemithyroidectomy

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the changing trend of serum thyrotropin(TSH) levels for hemithyroidectomy patients, and to discuss the necessity and strategy of TSH suppression for low-risk differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC). Methods One hundred and twenty-seven patients with benign thyroid nodules undergoing hemithyroidectomy between January 2013 and June 2014 were retrospectively studied. Serum thyroid hormones levels FT3, FT4, TSH, thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibody(TGAb) were detected at 1 month after surgery for all patients and at 3 month for 54 patients. Results (1)Mean TSH level at 1 month after surgery was significantly higher than preoperative TSH level(2.45 mIU/L vs 2.20 mIU/L, n=127, P 4.94 mIU/L in 18 patients (14.17%) at 1 month after operation. TSH 4.94 mIU/L in 8 patients(14.81%) at 3 month after operation. (3)A preoperative TSH≥2.0 mIU/L and the coexistence of Hashimoto′s thyroiditis were found to be independent risk factors for the TSH levels higher than 2.0 mIU/L. Among the patients with TSH≥2.0 mIU/L at 1 month, 13 exhibited spontaneous recovery at 3 month, coexistence of Hashimoto′s thyroiditis was related to this phenomenon. Among the patients with TSH<2.0 mIU/L at 1 month, TSH levels were elevated over 2.0 mIU/L in 7 patients by 3 month comparing to that by 1 month. Coexistence of Hashimoto′s thyroiditis was independent risk factor for the TSH elevation. Conclusion TSH suppression may still be performed to patients with low risk DTC after operation especially to whom the preoperative TSH≥2.0 mIU/L and the coexistence of Hashimoto′s thyroiditis. Suppression therapy should be carefully considered with close follow-up. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2017, 33: 955-958) Key words: Lobectomy; Differentiated thyroid cancer; Thyrotropin; Suppression therapy