Development Of Thyroid Dysfunction Research Articles

Differences in thyroid function between small for gestational age and those with appropriate weight for gestational age. Is thyroid function normal in small for gestational age newborns?

IntroductionSeveral studies conclude that small for gestational age (SGA) children have a higher number of comorbidities, as well as a different hormonal profile compared to those with appropriate weight for gestational age (AGA). Thyroid hormones play an important role in growth and neurocognitive development. Thyroid function in SGA children is still not completely known. ObjectivesTo compare the thyroid function of SGA children during the first 2 years of life with that in publications on thyroid function in other groups of infants, such as AGA and premature children, using the same methodology. MethodsA cohort of 38 SGA children was obtained, in which the thyrotropin (TSH) values in blood were measured at different points in the development of the SGA child. The results were compared with a population of AGA children from Zaragoza and a population of premature children from Barcelona by comparing the means using a 2-tailed test. ResultsA statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between the SGA children in our study and the AGA children older than 6 months, but not between the SGA children of the study and the population of premature infants. ConclusionsSGA children have higher TSH values compared to AGA children older than 6 months. Therefore, it seems reasonable to establish a screening and a follow-up protocol in those SGA with high risk to develop thyroid dysfunction.

SARS-COV-2 INFECTION AND THYROID DISEASES

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARSCoV-2) virus, was identified as the cause of a pandemic of respiratory illness in Wuhan, China one year ago. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), may cause mild disease with nonspecific signs and symptoms such as fever, cough, myalgia, and fatigue, or severe pneumonia with respiratory failure and sepsis. However, endocrinological manifestations are yet to be established, in patients with COVID-19. The effect of COVID-19 on thyroid function is unknown at this time. Evidence support that patients with COVID-19 who are followed up in intensive care units may develop thyroid dysfunction as a non-thyroidal illness syndrome. Until now, twenty-two cases with subacute thyroiditis and five cases with Graves’ Diseases potentially associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported in literature. Physicians should be aware of possible relationships between thyroid dysfunction and COVID-19. This study aimed to review thyroid dysfunction in patients with COVID-19, and to overview thyroid diseases that are probably related to COVID-19.

One-year follow-up of thyroid function in 23 infants with Prader- Willi syndrome at a single center in China.

Endocrine disorders are common in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Whether hypothyroidism is present in patients with PWS, and especially infants and young children, remains unclear. The aims of this study were to evaluate thyroid function in patients with PWS, to assess the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction, and to evaluate the effect of growth hormone on thyroid function. Subjects were 23 patients with PWS ages 3 months to 3 years who were followed for up to one year. Four patients were lost to follow-up after the first visit. The remaining 19 patients were treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). PWS was diagnosed based on a genetic analysis. Free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were evaluated before and after growth hormone treatment. A total of 9 patients (9/23 = 39.1%) developed abnormal thyroid function. Five out of 23 patients (21.7%) had abnormal thyroid function before growth hormone treatment. Four patients developed thyroid dysfunction during the 3- to 9-month period of rhGH treatment. Of the 9 patients with abnormal thyroid function, 7 (5 boys, 2 girls) had central hypothyroidism, and the other 2 patients had subclinical hypothyroidism. TSH levels were higher in patients with PWS due to maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) than in patients with PWS due to a 15q11-q13 deletion. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was high in infants and young children with PWS. Thyroid function should be regularly monitored in patients with PWS at both diagnosis and follow-up.

Thyroid dysfunction and survival in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: analyses from a large single tertiary cancer center database

Purpose We aimed to assess the incidence, clinical and biochemical course of immunotherapy-induced thyroiditis and its implication on patients’ survival, based on an extensive clinical experience from a tertiary cancer center. Methods Analyses were based on data from the electronic medical records of cancer patients treated with CPIs. Data included demographic characteristics, cancer type, Thyroid function tests (TFT), and survival. Results Thyroid function tests were available for 934 patients. After excluding patients with impaired baseline TFT or levothyroxine treatment, 754 euthyroid patients were included in the core analyses. Of those, 301 (39.9%) patients developed thyroid dysfunction (‘thyroiditis’). Thyroiditis was more prevalent in patients with renal cell carcinoma than other types of cancer. Survival rates were comparable in patients who developed thyroiditis and in those who did not. during the 5 years follow-up period, there was a non-significant trend toward improved survival in patients who developed TD in four predefined groups: melanoma, lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and transitional cell carcinoma. Nevertheless, we observed a highly significant survival benefit for patients with renal cell carcinoma who developed TD (HR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.06–0.60; p = 0.005). Conclusions Thyroiditis is common, often asymptomatic, and is more prevalent in patients treated with combinations of nivolumab and PD-L1 inhibitors, and in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Thyroiditis was associated with a trend for a survival benefit, particularly in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Evaluation of the frequency and patterns of thyroid dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) and thyroid dysfunction have a degree of close association, and each of them affects the other. Due to the associated cardiovascular events, MetS has increased morbidity and mortality. The study tried to detect the frequency of thyroid function in patients with MetS. This is a case control study that recruited 100 patients with MetS and 100 healthy control subjects.ResultsPatients with MetS had significantly higher body mass index and waist circumference. Also, frequency of thyroid dysfunction was significantly higher in MetS group (32% vs. 9%; P<0.001). The most frequent form of thyroid dysfunction was subclinical hypothyroidism: 21% of the MetS group and 6% of the control group. Out of the studied patients with MetS, 13 (13%) patients had three criteria, 55 (55%) patients had four criteria, and 32 (32%) patients had five criteria for MetS.ConclusionPatients with MetS are vulnerable to develop thyroid dysfunction mainly subclinical hypothyroidism. So, it is recommended to perform regular screening for those patients as regard thyroid dysfunction.

Thyroid function and survival outcomes in women with uterine cancer

Objectives: Loss of estrogen and progesterone receptor expression has historically been associated with poor survival outcomes in women with uterine cancer, but the role of the remaining 46 nuclear hormone receptors remains unclear. Recently, data from The Cancer Genome Atlas demonstrated a novel association between loss of thyroid hormone receptor beta expression and increased survival in uterine cancer patients.1 The purpose of this study was to explore the association between clinical indices of thyroid function and survival outcomes in women diagnosed with uterine cancer. 1. Pique, D.G., Greally, J.M. & Mar, J.C. Identification of a novel subgroup of endometrial cancer patients with loss of thyroid hormone receptor beta expression and improved survival. BMC Cancer 20:857 (2020). Methods: A single-institution retrospective cohort study was performed examining all women diagnosed with uterine cancer from 2006-2016. Data regarding patient demographics, medical co-morbidities, histology, stage and treatment course were abstracted from the medical record. Historical records and thyroid function studies (TSH, T3, free T4) were used to identify patients who were euthyroid, hypothyroid, or hyperthyroid within 1 year prior to their cancer diagnosis until the end of the follow-up period. The primary outcome was time to death from cancer diagnosis. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the association between thyroid dysfunction and survival by using thyroid status as a time-dependent covariate and adjusting for age, grade and stage of disease. Download : Download high-res image (177KB) Download : Download full-size image Results: A total of 1201 patients were included for analysis. One thousand thirty (86%) patients had no thyroid dysfunction at time of cancer diagnosis, 145 patients (12%) carried the baseline diagnosis of hypothyroidism and 26 patients (2%) had hyperthyroidism. Twenty three women with normal thyroid function at baseline developed thyroid dysfunction during follow-up (91% hypothyroid, 9% hyperthyroid). A total of 218 deaths were observed. There were no differences in survival among patients with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism compared to euthyroid patients [HR 0.72 (95% CI 0.47-1.12, p=0.15); HR 0.51 (95% CI 0.16-1.58, p=0.24) respectively]. Women diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction prior to cancer diagnosis were observed to have a 30% lower hazard of death compared to euthyroid women, although this did not achieve statistical significance [HR 0.70 (95% CI 0.46-1.07, p=0.10)]. Patients who developed thyroid dysfunction after cancer diagnosis were observed to have a 3.7 fold higher hazard of death compared to patients who remained euthyroid during followup [HR 3.70 (95% CI 1.60-8.30), p=0.01], but this did not maintain significance in models adjusting for age, grade and stage of disease. Conclusions: Thyroid dysfunction was not associated with a difference in survival in women with uterine cancer in our cohort. Timing of thyroid dysfunction relative to uterine cancer diagnosis may affect clinical outcomes. Additional studies are needed to explore the relationship of thyroid dysfunction and uterine cancer.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and thyroid disease. An update.

Purpose of reviewSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with excess morbidity and mortality in patients with hypertension and diabetes but little is known about thyroid diseases. Thus, our goal was to review the literature with respect to: (i) Are patients with underlying hypo- or hyperthyroidism at increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection? (ii) do underlying hypo- and hyperthyroidism impact the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection? (iii) does SARS-CoV-2 infection cause de novo thyroid dysfunction?Recent findingsPatients with hypo- or hyperthyroidism do not have an increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2, and a diagnosis of hypo- or hyperthyroidism is not associated with a worsened prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with subsequent thyrotoxicosis, euthyroid sick syndrome, subacute thyroiditis, and autoimmune thyroid disease.SummaryThese findings suggest that receiving treatment for thyroid dysfunction does not per se impact the patients’ risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection, or the management of those who already contracted it. Additional studies with larger numbers of patients and long-term follow-up are required in order to clarify whether patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection are more or less prone to develop thyroid dysfunction and/or thyroid autoimmunity than patients recovering from other virus infections.

Thyroid dysfunction is associated with the loss of hepatitis B surface antigen in patients with chronic hepatitis B undergoing treatment with α-interferon.

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of thyroid dysfunction on the antiviral efficacy of α-interferon in adult patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of 342 patients with CHB who underwent interferon treatment for >12 weeks. Patients with thyroid dysfunction before or during treatment were defined as the thyroid dysfunction group (n = 141) and those with normal thyroid function were defined as the normal thyroid function group (n = 201). The prevalences of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA undetectability, low hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) titre (<250 IU/mL), HBsAg loss, and hepatitis B envelope antigen loss were compared.ResultsDuring interferon treatment, 69 of 270 (25.6%) participants with normal thyroid function at baseline developed thyroid dysfunction, whereas 11 of 72 (15.3%) with thyroid dysfunction at baseline regained normal thyroid function. The thyroid dysfunction group had significantly higher prevalences of low HBsAg titre (29.8% vs. 18.9%) and HBV DNA undetectability (66.0% vs. 40.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that thyroid dysfunction was associated with HBsAg loss (odds ratio 4.945, 95% confidence interval 1.325–18.462).ConclusionsThese results suggest that thyroid dysfunction is not an absolute contraindication, but is associated with HBsAg loss, in patients with CHB undergoing α-interferon treatment.

Early Follow-up of Atypical Thyroiditis Induced by SARS-CoV-2

Background: In Spring 2020 the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic disease (Covid-19) badly affected Northern Italy. We have described for the first time the occurrence of thyrotoxicosis due to atypical subacute thyroiditis in 15% of patients hospitalised for Covid-19 pneumonia, compared with only 1% among patients hospitalised in the same wards during Spring 2019, thus before the Covid-19 pandemic. The whole group of Covid-19 patients also had median serum TSH concentrations significantly lower compared with the control group. The atypical thyroiditis induced by Covid-19 is not associated with neck pain, affects more men than women and especially those severely ill, thus coexists with non-thyroidal illness syndrome. Subacute thyroiditis is classically followed by subsequent occurrence of permanent thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity, thus we have started a systematic follow-up program of these patients. Methods: Longitudinal follow-up study of survived Covid-19 patients without previous known history of thyroid disorders and/or medications, assessing serum thyroid function and autoantibodies, C reactive protein (CRP), full blood count (FBC) and thyroid ultrasound (US) every 3 months. Patients showing baseline (at hospitalisation for Covid-19) thyroid dysfunction and/or focal hypoechoic areas suggestive for subacute thyroiditis at US performed 3 months post-infection, also underwent thyroid 99mTc or I123uptake. Results: To date, 53 patients have been included in the follow-up study. At 3 months post-infection, all of them presented with increased median (IQR) serum TSH concentrations compared with baseline: 1.3 (0.9–2.0) mIU/L versus 0.9 (0.5–1.8) mIU/L (p=0.0001). Similarly, serum concentrations of free-thyroxine, free-triiodothyronine, CRP and FBC had normalised compared with baseline. All patients had negative autoantibodies to TSH receptor; autoantibodies to thyroglobulin and to thyroid peroxidase were positive in 6/53 (11%) and 5/53 (9%) of patients, respectively. The thyroid US showed the presence of focal hypoechoic areas of thyroiditis in 16/51 (32%) patients, with thyroid uptake normal in 6/16 (37%), focally reduced in 8/16 (50%) and diffusely reduced in 2/16 (12%). Conclusions: At 3 months after Covid-19 disease all patients had a normalised thyroid function, however imaging findings suggestive for subacute thyroiditis were still present in about one third of cases. The thyroid dysfunction induced by Covid-19 seems not mediated by autoimmunity. It is important to continue to follow these patients since they might develop thyroid dysfunction during the following months.

Graves’ Disease, a Late Complication of Chronic Graft vs Host Disease

Introduction: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a complication of bone marrow transplant (BMT), occurs when the donor white blood cells attack the recipient’s host cells and can occur acutely or chronically several years post-transplant. It is very rare for chronic GVHD to cause hyperthyroidism due to Grave’s disease and thyrotoxicosis years after BMT. Hyperthyroidism after BMT is thought to occur by GVHD or by donor’s auto-reactive lymphocytes transferred to recipient, with majority of cases occurring with donors that have an underlying autoimmune thyroid condition. Case Report: We report a 62 year old male who presented with palpitations, tremors, sweating, weight loss, and anxiety for 3 weeks. Past medical history was significant for allogenic BMT due to AML 14 years ago, which was further complicated by GVHD of eye, liver and skin. Physical exam was negative for thyromegaly or thyroid tenderness. Initial work up showed TSH 0.03 (normal 0.4-5.0 MUI/l), free T4 3.32 (normal 0.6-1.2 ng/dl), TSI 194 % (normal <140 %). Ultrasound revealed a diffuse hypervascular thyroid gland with numerous avascular cystic areas in both lobes and increased homogenous, symmetrical uptake consistent with Graves’ disease was noted on radioactive iodine uptake scan. With clinical suspicion of GVHD leading to Graves’ disease with subsequent thyrotoxicosis, he was started on methimazole. However, due to persistent increase in transaminases, concern for agranulocytosis with methimazole, and risk of developing worsening GVHD of the skin or eye with radioactive iodine therapy, he underwent total thyroidectomy. His pathology showed bilateral lymphoepithelial lesions with florid follicular hyperplasia, marked monocytoid hyperplasia, and Germinal B cells positive for CD10 and negative for BCL2. Lymphoepithelial lesions can be seen in chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis due to persistent inflammation. Conclusion: This case raises the question on the etiology of thyroid nodules and Graves’ disease occurring after BMT. We believe that his pathology findings may be due to chronic GVHD. Hyperthyroidism after BMT is extremely rare, with only a few case reports documenting this phenomenon. We believe that our patient developed hyperthyroidism 14 years after BMT most likely as a sequela of chronic GVHD with underlying immune dysregulation leading to formation of TSI and thyroiditis due to cellular invasion. This suggest a multifactorial etiology of hyperthyroidism in patients with GVHD. However, more prospective studies are required to the explain etiology of hyperthyroidism in GVHD. Moreover, such patients should be closely monitored for development of thyroid dysfunction or thyroid nodules.

The Spread of Thyroid Diseases and the Algorithm for Diagnosing Thyroid Dysfunction

Diseases of the thyroid gland are considered one of the most common endocrinopathies. This is due to the influence of ecologically unfavorable environmental factors, bad habits, malnutrition, comorbid conditions and genetic predisposition. Determining an algorithm for diagnosing thyroid dysfunction for the timely detection of diseases is expedient and relevant. The objective: to analyze the state of the spread of thyroid diseases among the population of the Kiev region and to determine the diagnostic algorithm based on the identification of the main clinical syndromes of thyroid dysfunction. Materials and methods. Among the adult population of the Kiev region, a high level of morbidity and spread of thyroid diseases is recorded. The increase in the number of cases occurred, first of all, due to the newly diagnosed patients with hypothyroidism, thyroiditis. The manifestation of most diseases is associated with the development of thyroid dysfunction. Under the hypothyroidism one can observe and diagnose the following: a syndrome of neuropsychiatric disorders with slowing down of motor activity, decrease in cognitive functions; syndrome of vegetative-trophic disorders with cutaneous mucinosis, polyneuropathy; syndrome of cardiovascular changes with decreased myocardial contractility, slow blood flow, progressive development of atherosclerosis; anemic syndrome; digestive tract syndrome with impaired motor and secretory functions of the gastrointestinal tract; syndrome of hormonal disorders with decreased secretion of thyroid hormones, especially T4, increased levels of TSH (in primary hypothyroidism) or decreased TSH (in secondary and tertiary). Results. Thyrotoxicosis in patients is determined by an enlarged thyroid gland with the development of: thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy and systolic arterial hypertension; thyrotoxic encephalopathy, syndrome of neuropsychiatric disorders with a predominance of excitation processes, vascular dysfunction; thyrotoxic ophthalmopathy, ectodermal disorders syndrome along with a decrease in TSH production and an increase in the level of free fractions T4, T3. Conclusions. The algorithm for diagnosing hypofunction and hyperfunction of the thyroid gland provides for: clarification of complaints and anamnesis data, examination of the patient, additional laboratory and instrumental examination, which includes the study of the thyroid status, possible autoaggression, analysis of metabolic processes, assessment of pathomorphological changes in the thyroid gland.

Thyroid Dysfunction in Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs): Outcomes in a Multiethnic Urban Cohort.

Simple SummaryWhich factors predispose individuals to developing immune-related adverse events (irAEs) remains unclear. In addition, the relationship between irAEs and survival outcomes warrants further investigation. We sought to investigate the association between immunotherapy-related thyroid dysfunction and demographic and clinical characteristics in a diverse urban cohort of patients with lung cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This study was conducted with the aim of helping to identify patients at a higher risk of experiencing irAEs and clarify whether irAEs portend a survival advantage.We sought to characterize thyroid dysfunction and its association with baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, as well as progression-free survival (PFS), in a multiethnic cohort of lung cancer patients treated with ICIs. A retrospective chart review of lung cancer patients receiving an anti-PD1 or PD-L1 agent was performed. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards were fitted to compare time to thyroid dysfunction among race subgroups controlling for age, gender, treatment type, and duration. Thyroid dysfunction was based on laboratory testing; clinical symptoms were not required. PFS at a 24-week landmark analysis point among patients with and without thyroid dysfunction was compared using a log-rank test. We identified 205 subjects that received ICIs, including 76 (37.1%) who developed thyroid dysfunction. Rates of thyroid dysfunction by one year occurred at similar frequencies among all races (p = 0.92). Gender and concurrent chemotherapy showed no significant association with thyroid dysfunction (p = 0.81 and p = 0.67, respectively). Thyrotoxicosis occurred at higher rates in Black (25, 31.6%) subjects than in White (7, 16.7%) and Hispanic (8, 12.7%) subjects when employing the log-rank test (p = 0.016) and multivariate Cox regression (HR 0.48, p = 0.09 for White and HR 0.36, p = 0.01 for Hispanic compared to Black subjects). PFS was similar among subjects with and without thyroid dysfunction when applying the log-rank test (p = 0.353). Gender, concurrent treatment with chemotherapy, and PFS were not associated with thyroid dysfunction in patients receiving ICIs; however, Black race was a risk factor for thyrotoxicosis. The mechanisms underlying the role of race in the development of irAEs warrant further study.

Assessment of iodine nutritional status in school children concerning autoimmune thyroiditis in Tamil Nadu, India

Objective: To eliminate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in children, the Indian government implemented a universal salt iodization program more than 3 decades ago. Recently, it was identified that excess iodine intake could lead to autoimmune thyroiditis in children. We aimed to measure the level of iodine excretion as well as thyroid profiles as an option to identify autoimmune thyroiditis in school-going children. Materials and Methods: A total of 111 children between the ages of 6 and 12 years were subjected to a blood test to measure free thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, anti-thyroglobulin, and anti-thyroperoxidase levels. The children were categorized into control and case groups based on the clinical outcome. Biochemical analysis, thyroid gland assessment, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), and ultrasound sonography were performed. Urinary iodine excretion (UIE) level was measured by the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction method. Results: Approximately 90% of the study population was identified with a higher level of iodine in urine. A positive correlation was observed between the UIE, anti-TPO, and anti-TGO titers among the cases. Out of 61 cases, 21 children showed overt hypothyroidism (34.43%) and the remaining were identified with subclinical thyroid symptoms (65.57%). FNAC confirmed autoimmune thyroiditis in 43 children within the case group. Conclusion: Excess iodine intake may trigger thyroid autoimmunity in children. Children who are having higher levels of anti-thyroid antibodies are at risk of developing thyroid dysfunction if they consume more than the required iodine for metabolism. High levels of iodine in the urine of control children indicate that the IDD program in our nation is running successfully.

PREVALENCE OF THYROID DYSFUNCTION IN CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

Introduction: Chronic Liver Disease affects most of the organs in the human body. Various studies have been done regarding chronic liver disease, but not many studies are done on the assessment of thyroid function in chronic liver disease. Present study thus aimed at assessing the thyroid functions in chronic liver disease patients. Materials &amp; Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital Study included 52 patients presenting with Chronic liver disease fullling the study criteria using purposive conservative sampling. Detailed examination was done for all cases including thyroid function tests. All analysis was carried out by using SPSS software version 21. Overall prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among chronic liver disease patients was 36.5%. A Results: signicant positive correlation was observed between severity of chronic liver disease and TSH levels (r-0.60) while an inverse correlation was observed with T3 and T4 levels (p&lt;0.01). A signicant association was observed between presence of thyroid dysfunction among chronic liver disease patients who had hepatic encephalopathy (66.7% vs 32.6%; p&lt;0.05). Also, a signicant association was observed with severity of chronic liver disease. Present study observed Conclusion: that derangement in thyroid prole is common in patients with cirrhosis of liver. A statistically signicant change was observed in serum T3 and T4 levels that tend to fall with progressive severity of chronic liver disease irrespective of aetiology. Thus all cirrhotic patients should undergo thyroid function evaluation as these patients are denitely associated with development of thyroid dysfunction.

Significant Association of Antiepileptic Drug Polytherapy with Decreased FT4 Levels in Epileptic Patients.

Epileptic patients have to continue anti-epileptic drugs (AED) over a long period of time which can have deleterious effects on the endocrine system including the thyroid hormones with rare check. Risk factors for the development of thyroid dysfunction are still unclear. Therefore the aim of study was to evaluate thyroid functions in epileptic patients receiving anti-epileptic drugs (AED) as monotherapy and polytherapy and to determine potential risk of low thyroid function in epileptic patients receiving treatment. This cross-sectional study included 100 epilepsy patients more than 12years of age. Serum levels of free thyroxin (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were evaluated in all subjects in addition to serum AED levels. TSH levels were found to be significantly higher in the polytherapy subgroup (p < 0.05) in comparison to the monotherapy group. 44% of the patients in the VPA monotherapy group had raised TSH levels and 41.2% of the patients on CBZ had low FT4. A significant negative correlation was observed between CBZ and FT4 (p < 0.05). Female sex and old age were additional risk factors detected for deranged thyroid function. Female patients with epilepsy, an older age and AED polytherapy were found to be associated with a higher risk of thyroid dysfunction. Thus, Thyroid function in these patients should be monitored closely. In conclusion, we observed significant changes in thyroid hormone levels in patients receiving antiepileptic treatment in both monotherapy and polytherapy. Elevated CBZ levels were significantly associated with decreased FT4 levels.

Thyroid Disorders Among People with Type 2 Diabetes in Misan Province: Prevalence Study

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) with thyroid disorders are common endocrine disorders, and both of them mostly come close in any clinical practice. Hormones of the thyroid gland can influence carbohydrate metabolism. On the other side, there is a degree of insulin resistance in DMT2. The study aimed is to determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunctions in DMT2. A cross-sectional study was done enrolling 100 participants included, (n= 40) men, and (n= 60) women, their age ranged between 20-90 years old. Evaluation for thyroid status and assessment of T3, T4, and TSH levels were done. The results were 60% euthyroid, 33% hypothyroid, and 7% hyperthyroid cases from 100 patients with diabetes mellitus; among them, 17% in young adults, 49% in middle age, and 34% in the old age patients, the diabetic patients' results comprised between both sexes were 40% male and 60% females. In a comparison between rural and urban patients, the results were 44% rural and 56% urban. The study found there's 22% of thyroid dysfunction patients were with family history, and 42% of DM patients with family history, besides, there is 28% of patients suffered from hypertension and 33% of patients were smokers. So, the study showed a high prevalence of dysfunction among those with DMT2, especially hypothyroidism. Family history and DM might be pre-existing factors to the development of thyroid dysfunction. Hypertension and tobacco smoking might be a risk factor for thyroid dysfunction.

Draft of the federal clinical recommendations for diagnosisi and treatment of amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug that is commonly used for treatment of various supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Amiodarone and its main active metabolite desethylamiodarone have a direct dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on thyroid follicular cells. Consequently, some patients receiving amiodarone may develop thyroid dysfunction: amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism (AIH) or amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT). The diagnosis, classification, and treatment of amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction remain to be a challenge to all clinicians deal with this problem. This draft of clinical recommendations was developed by a group of specialists experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction. AIH does not require amiodarone withdrawal. Thyroxine treatment is recommended for all patients with manifest AIH, subclinical forms of AIH do not always need its prescription. There are two main types of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis: AIT type 1 (is a hyperthyroidism that develops due to excessive iodine intake in autonomous thyroid nodules or latent Graves ‘ disease) and AIT type 2 (develops due to destructive thyroiditis because of the cytotoxic effect of amiodarone). In addition, there is a mixed form, which has features of both types of AIT. Autonomous AIT 1 is characterized by the presence of one or more «hot» nodules in the thyroid. Elevated TSH receptor antibodies or typical clinical manifestations confirm the diagnosis of diffuse toxic goiter and, consequently, AIT1. Colour-flow Doppler sonography (CFDS) is proposed as the basic method of differential diagnosis of AIT 1 and AIT 2. CFDS «pattern 0», usually indicates AIT 2, the presence of «patterns I-III» mostly typical for AIT 1. The thyreostatics are recommended for AIT 1, oral glucocorticoids for AIT 2 and their combination for a mixed AIT. Emergency thyroidectomy should be applied to patients with deteriorating cardiovascular pathology and ineffective drug therapy. In the absence of clinical suspicion on thyroid dysfunction, thyroid hormones assessment should be done 3 months after the start of amiodarone treatment, thereafter every 6 months.

Baseline serum TSH levels predict the absence of thyroid dysfunction in cancer patients treated with immunotherapy

PurposeImmunotherapy against immune checkpoints has significantly improved survival both in metastatic and adjuvant setting in several types of cancers. Thyroid dysfunction is the most common endocrine adverse event reported. Patients who are at risk of developing thyroid dysfunction remain to be defined. We aimed to identify predictive factors for the development of thyroid dysfunction during immunotherapy.MethodsThis is a retrospective study including a total of 68 patients who were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for metastatic or unresectable advanced cancers. The majority of patients were treated with anti-PD1 drugs in monotherapy or in combination with anti-CTLA4 inhibitors. Thyroid function and anti-thyroid antibodies, before starting immunotherapy and during treatment, were evaluated. Thyroid ultrasound was also performed in a subgroup of patients at the time of enrolment in the study.ResultsEleven out of 68 patients (16.1%) developed immune-related overt thyroid dysfunction. By ROC curve analysis, we found that a serum TSH cut-off of 1.72 mUI/l, at baseline, had a good diagnostic accuracy in identifying patients without overt thyroid dysfunction (NPV = 100%, p = 0.0029). At multivariate analysis, both TSH and positive anti-thyroid antibodies (ATAbs) levels, before ICIs treatment, were independently associated with the development of overt thyroid dysfunction during immunotherapy (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.009, respectively).ConclusionsPre-treatment serum TSH and ATAbs levels may help to identify patients at high risk for primary thyroid dysfunction. Our study suggests guidance for an appropriate timely screening and for a tailored management of thyroid dysfunctions in patients treated with ICIs.

Diferencias en la función tiroidea de los pequeños para la edad gestacional y los de peso adecuado. ¿Es normal la función tiroidea de los recién nacidos pequeños para la edad gestacional?

IntroductionSeveral studies conclude that small for gestational age (SGA) children have a higher number of comorbidities, as well as a different hormonal profile compared to those with appropriate weight for gestational age (AGA). Thyroid hormones play an important role in growth and neurocognitive development. Thyroid function in SGA children is still not completely known. ObjectivesTo compare the thyroid function of SGA children during the first 2 years of life with that in publications on thyroid function in other groups of infants, such as AGA and premature children, using the same methodology. MethodsA cohort of 38 SGA children was obtained, in which the TSH values in blood were measured at different points in the development of the SGA child. The results were compared with a population of AGA children from Zaragoza and a population of premature children from Barcelona by comparing the means using a 2-tailed test. ResultsA statistically significant difference (P<.05) was observed between the SGA children in our study and the AGA children older than 6 months, but not between the SGA children of the study and the population of premature infants. ConclusionsSGA children have higher TSH values compared to AGA children older than 6 months. Therefore, it seems reasonable to establish a screening and a follow-up protocol in those SGA with high risk to develop thyroid dysfunction.

Thyroid dysfunction in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors: Results of a prospective cohort

ObjectivesEpidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) are the preferred treatment option for patients with advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR mutations and ALK rearrangements respectively. TKIs can theoretically induce thyroid dysfunction via actions on many levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. However, there are no published studies on occurrence of thyroid dysfunction related to use of EGFR/ALK TKIs in lung cancer. The current study aimed to prospectively and comprehensively evaluate incidence of thyroid dysfunction in NSCLC patients treated with EGFR and ALK inhibitors. MethodsThis prospective observational study at a tertiary care referral hospital included histologically/cytologically proven advanced/metastatic NSCLC patients treated with EGFR and ALK inhibitors over a period of 15 months. Thyroid function tests (including anti-TPO antibody) were done at baseline and repeated every month for first three months and then every three monthly for 12 months. ResultsSix different drugs (EGFR and ALK inhibitors) were used for treatment of 50 NSCLC patients enrolled. Of these, four drugs caused thyroid dysfunction (EGFR inhibitors erlotinib, gefitinib and ALK inhibitors ceritinib, crizotinib). Thyroid dysfunction typically occurred at 1 month following start of TKI treatment. Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was 8%. Distribution of subclinical (not requiring treatment) and overt thyroid dysfunction (requiring specific treatment) was 4% each. All patients were asymptomatic. Both patients with overt thyroid dysfunction had hypothyroidism while subclinical dysfunction was equally distributed between hypo- and hyper- thyroidism. All patients who developed thyroid dysfunction derived expected clinical benefit and none required TKI dose interruption or stoppage. ConclusionsNSCLC patients may need to be monitored for occurrence of thyroid dysfunction during treatment with EGFR and ALK TKIs.