Thyroid Work-up Research Articles

Can thyroid volume predict thyroid dysfunction in patients with systemic sclerosis? A prospective cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in North West India.

Previous studies have documented an association between thyroid dysfunction, predominant hypothyroidism, and antibody positivity in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). There are no studies reporting the relationship between thyroid volume and thyroid functions in patients with SSc. This study was conducted to correlate thyroid dysfunction with thyroid volume as measured on ultrasound and antibody positivity. Complete thyroid workup was done in 106 patients of SSc which included thyroid function test, antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody, antithyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) antibody, antithyroglobulin antibody, and thyroid ultrasound to assess thyroid volume, echogenicity and blood flow, and fine needle aspiration cytology of suspicious thyroid lesions. Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 8.5 %, overt hypothyroidism 1.9 %, subclinical hyperthyroidism 2.8 %, and overt hyperthyroidism in 0.9 % of the patients. Antithyroid peroxidase antibody was positive in 16 %, anti-TSH receptor antibody in 5.7 %, and antithyroglobulin antibody in none of the patients. Thyroid volume was in the range of atrophy (<4.5 ml) in 57.5 % patients, echogenicity altered in 15.1 %, and blood flow increased in 15.1 %. Thyroid volume correlated strongly with the pulmonary function test (FEV1). Routine thyroid ultrasound and thyroid function tests may be included in the workup of patients with SSc for the early detection of hypothyroidism since a small but significant percentage of patients developed thyroid dysfunction. Antithyroid antibodies may not correlate with the thyroid functions and hence should not be recommended.

Surgeon-Performed Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology (SP-US-FNAC) Shortens Time for Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) of thyroid nodules is an important diagnostic procedure. In most hospitals, patients are referred to radiologists for US-FNAC, but this often results in a long waiting time before results are available. Surgeon-performed US-FNAC (SP-US-FNAC) during the initial patient consultation attempts to reduce the waiting time but it is not known whether this is as accurate as radiologist-performed US-FNAC (RP-US-FNAC). The aim of this study is to compare the clinical efficiency between SP-US-FNAC and RP-US-FNAC. A retrospective study was performed on patients from the Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) who underwent an US-FNAC from August 2011 to May 2012. All cases of SP-US-FNAC were performed by a single surgeon. This study compared the rates of positive diagnoses achieved by SP-US-FNAC and RPUS- FNAC as well as the time interval to reach a cytological diagnosis by each group. A total of 40 cases of SP-US-FNAC and 72 cases of RP-US-FNAC were included in the study. SP-US-FNAC resulted in 28 (70%) positive diagnoses and 12 (30%) nondiagnoses while RP-US-FNAC resulted in 47 (65.3%) positive diagnoses and 25 (34.7%) non-diagnoses. These results were comparable (P=0.678). The median time taken to reach a cytological diagnosis was 1 working day for SP-US-FNAC and 29.5 working days for RP-US-FNAC resulting in a shorter interval to reaching a cytological diagnosis for SP-US-FNAC (P<0.001). In the workup of thyroid nodules, SP-US-FNAC is as accurate as RP-US-FNAC but significantly reduces the time taken to reach a cytological diagnosis. This leads to greater clinical efficiency in the management of patients with thyroid nodules, which in turn leads to other benefits such as decreased patient anxiety and increased patient satisfaction.

Low thyroid stimulating hormone levels associated with acute psychosis in a geriatric patient and improvement with resolution of psychosis: a case report

Thyroid function abnormalities may be seen in acute psychiatric admissions in adults and adolescents. A man in his 70s suffering from Alzheimer’s dementia was admitted with symptoms of agitation, aggression and delusional behavior. He had no history of thyroid disorder. The admission thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level was low at 0.235 mlU/ml. Other thyroid work-up was negative. We suspected that the TSH abnormalities were possibly related to the acute psychosis. Serial measurements of TSH and assessment of treatment progress with Clinical Global Impression scale were completed. TSH level on admission was 0.235 and at discharge 0.510 mIU/ml. The global impression scale scores showed corresponding improvement. Thyroid work‐up and follow‐up thyroid function tests in 2 weeks should be considered before exercising treatment options for thyroid function abnormalities in acute psychotic patients, particularly in the elderly.

Late Manifestation of Subclinical Hyperthyroidism After Goitrogenesis in an Index Patient with a N670S TSH Receptor Germline Mutation Masquerading as TSH Receptor Antibody Negative Graves’ Disease

In 27 families with familial non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism (FNAH) reported up to date, the onset of hyperthyroidism varies from 18 months to 60 years. Also the manifestation of goitres is variable in these families. A 74-year-old woman first presented at the age of 69 years with tachyarrhythmia and hypertension. After initial treatment of her hypertension and oral anticoagulation for her intermittent atrial fibrillation, a thyroid workup revealed a suppressed TSH and normal fT3 and fT4. TPO, TSH receptor (TSHR), and thyroglobulin antibodies were negative. Thyroid ultrasound revealed a thyroid volume of 102 ml with several nodules with diameters of up to 2.6 cm right and up to 1.8 cm left. Scintigraphy showed a homogeneous Technetium-99 m ((99 m)Tc) uptake of 1.27%. She was subsequently treated with 1 GBq radioiodine ((131)I). At the age of 74, her thyroid function was normal and her thyroid volume decreased to 90 ml. Because of the diffuse (99 m)Tc uptake and the negative TPO, TSHR, and thyroglobulin antibodies, genetic analysis of her TSHR gene was performed, in spite of her negative family history for hyperthyroidism. Sequencing revealed a N670S TSHR germline mutation. Previous in vitro characterisation of this TSHR mutation suggests a weak constitutive activity, yet the experimental data are ambiguous. This case illustrates the necessity to analyse patients with hyperthyroidism accompanied by diffuse (99 m)Tc uptake and negative TPO, TSHR, and thyroglobulin antibodies for TSHR germline mutations. Moreover, it demonstrates that TSHR germline mutations may first lead to longstanding nodular goitrogenesis before the late manifestation of subclinical hyperthyroidism.

A hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at ultrasound does not indicate autoimmune thyroid diseases in patients with morbid obesity

Thyroid ultrasound (US) scan is a valuable tool for diagnosing thyroid diseases. In autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), an hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at US is related to circulating thyroid antibodies (Abs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of thyroid US for the detection of AITD in patients with morbid obesity. Thyroid US scans showing an hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid were collected from 105 morbid obese patients (body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m(2)) and 105 non-obese patients (BMI<or=30 kg/m(2)). A thyroid hypoechoic pattern at US was consistent with clinical/biochemical features of AITD in 90/105 (85.7%) non-obese patients and in 22/105 (20.9%) morbid-obese patients (P<0.0001). By performing a complete thyroid work-up, including clinical examination, thyroid morphology, serum hormones, and auto-Ab measurements, the discrepancy between the US pattern and the results of the thyroid Ab tests was justified in 6/15 non-obese patients, and only in 1/83 morbid obese patients. Thus, an unexplained hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at US, defined as negative tests for thyroid Ab and absence of justifying thyroid disturbances, was found in 2/105 (1.9%) non-obese patients and in 68/105 (64.8%) morbid obese patients (P<0.0001). Our results suggest that i) morbid obesity may affect thyroid morphology, and ii) an hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at US, a well-established parameter for diagnosing AITD, has a poor diagnostic accuracy when patients with morbid obesity are taken into account.

Thyroid uptake of 67Ga-citrate is associated with thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism in patients with sarcoidosis

To evaluate the association of gallium-67 ((67)Ga)-citrate thyroid uptake with the presence of thyroid disorders in patients with sarcoidosis (S patients). Eighty-four S patients were evaluated by a complete thyroid work-up (neck ultrasound, circulating thyroid hormones and anti-thyroid antibodies, fine-needle aspiration). In S patients with (67)Ga thyroid uptake (respect those without): serum thyroid-stimulating hormone, the titre of anti-thyroid peroxidase (AbTPO) and/or anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (AbTg), and the prevalence of S patients with hypothyroidism or with positive AbTg or AbTPO was significantly higher; a thyroid hypoechoic pattern was more frequent. The prevalence of thyroid nodules was not significantly different between the two groups. Two cases of papillary thyroid cancer were observed in S patients without (67)Ga thyroid uptake, whilst no case in those with (67)Ga thyroid uptake. (67)Ga thyroid uptake is associated with the presence of aggressive autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism in S patients; thyroid function and ultrasonography should be performed in the presence of (67)Ga thyroid uptake.

Pseudo-tumeurs orbitaires et thyroïdite de Riedel : à propos d’un cas

We report a case of a patient with orbital pseudotumors associated with Riedel's thyroiditis. This association of unknown etiology may be related to idiopathic multifocal fibrosclerosis that includes retroperitoneal fibrosis, mediastinal fibrosis, sclerosing cholangitis, Riedel's thyroiditis, and orbital pseudotumors. A 44-year-old woman was referred for a bilateral inflammatory malignant exophthalmos with progressive optical neuropathy (bilateral visual acuity<1/20). Imaging studies demonstrated bilateral exophthalmos (grade III) with compression of the both optic nerves by extensive tumoral infiltration. The general work-up showed a compressive goiter, with the histopathologic examination establishing the diagnosis of Riedel's thyroiditis. Orbital biopsy and antithyroid antibody testing were not contributive. Systemic corticosteroid associated with total thyroidectomy resulted in regression of the symptoms within 3 months. The coexistence of bilateral orbital pseudotumor and Riedel's thyroiditis is the most common situation found for idiopathic multifocal fibrosclerosis. We discuss the differential diagnosis with thyroid-associated orbitopathy and orbital lymphoma. This observation is original because the diagnosis was reached by ophthalmic manifestation. The ophthalmologist should be able to identify this pathology to optimize the diagnostic and the therapeutic strategy. In case of exophthalmos, a complete assessment should be made, including radiological and histopathological orbital and thyroid work-up.

Consider Adding TSH Test to Thyroid Work-Up

Consider Adding TSH Test to Thyroid Work-Up

Clinical and subclinical autoimmune thyroid disorders in systemic sclerosis

Several studies have reported the association of systemic sclerosis (SSc) with thyroid autoimmune disorders, but most of them have neither an appropriate control group nor include a complete thyroid work-up. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid disorders in a large number of patients with SSc using a complete clinical evaluation. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, antithyroglobulin and antithyroid-peroxidase (AbTPO) autoantibodies, thyroid ultrasonography and blood flow and fine needle aspiration were performed in 202 SSc patients versus 404 gender- and age-matched controls from the general population, with similar iodine intake, to evaluate the prevalence of clinical and subclinical thyroid disorders. Odds ratio (OR) for female SSc versus controls was: for subclinical hypothyroidism, 3.2 (95% CI)=1.8-5.7); for clinical hypothyroidism, 14.5 (95% CI=2.3-90.9); for AbTPO positivity, 2.7 (95% CI=1.8-4.1); for hypoechoic pattern, 3.2 (95% CI=2.2-4.7); for thyroid autoimmunity, 3.7 (95% CI=2.6-5.4); for thyroid volume <6 ml, 1.8 (95% CI=1.2-2.7). OR for thyroid autoimmunity in male SSc versus controls was 10.8 (95% CI=2.2-52.4). Mean values of TSH in female SSc, and of AbTPO in female and male SSc were higher (P<0.01) than in controls. We observed three cases of Graves' disease in female SSc versus zero in controls (P=0.0140), and two cases of papillary thyroid cancer in SSc patients. Thyroid function, AbTPO and ultrasonography should be tested as part of the clinical profile in SSc patients. Females, subjects with positive AbTPO and hypoechoic and small thyroid should have thyroid function follow-up and appropriate treatment in due course.

Hyperthyroidism: an underappreciated cause of diffuse bone disease.

A 37-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were referred for evaluation of skeletal complaints. Tc-99m MDP bone scans were obtained. Tc-99m MDP bone scanning of the man revealed a metabolic super-scan pattern. Tc-99m MDP images of the woman mimicked autoimmune arthritis. A thyroid workup was performed at a substantial interval after bone scanning. Thyroid laboratory indices in both patients suggested Graves' Disease. I-123 scanning revealed diffuse increased uptake in both patients, confirming the diagnosis of Graves' Disease. Successful treatment was eventually achieved with I-131. We conclude that nuclear medicine physicians should be aware that hyperthyroidism may present either as a pattern of metabolic superscan or may resemble an autoimmune arthritic process; in other words, it should be understood that insofar as bone imaging, Graves' Disease is the Great Imitator. Similarly, referring clinicians need to be aware of these relationships, and appropriately screen patients with skeletal complaints. This is especially important in an era when generalists and ancillary medical personnel are involved in the screening of patients with complex and misleading disease processes.

Psychosis Associated with Untreated Hypothyroidism in a Young Adolescent: A Review of Neuropsychiatrie Findings in Children and Adolescents with Thyroid Disorders

Four cases of psychosis coexisting with hypothyroidism have been reported in children and adolescents, but the psychosis was attributed to thyroid replacement therapy in three cases and hypothyroidism was thought to be etiological in only one case. This article describes a possible second case of psychosis due to hypothyroidism in an adolescent who, at age 13 years, is the youngest reported case of myxedema psychosis. Treatment of the psychosis with L-T4 produced a rapid improvement in symptoms, but obsessional symptoms persisted and responded to fluoxetine. Speculatively, the patient's comorbid obsessive–compulsive disorder may have contributed to an aggravation of anxiety symptoms or operated as a predisposing factor that led to the appearance of psychotic symptoms during the hypothyroid episode. As in many presentations of "myxedema madness" in adults, a coincidental therapeutic response to thyroid treatment cannot be ruled out, so the link between hypothyroidism and psychosis cannot be considered definitive. A discussion of the diagnostic dilemmas presented by cases of hypothyroidism and psychosis is presented, and possible biochemical interrelationships are considered. In both reported adolescent cases, psychosis was the first sign of hypothyroidism and (in contrast to most adult cases) the onset of psychosis was rapid. It is premature to offer specific guidelines about when thyroid workup would be useful or cost effective, but thyroid testing may be considered if psychosis in a child or adolescent is associated with a family history of thyroid disease, goiter, or acute onset of symptoms.

Hypothyroidism—or is it depression?

Growing recognition of the importance of the thyroid in affective disorders has been accompanied by development of more sensitive thyroid tests. The article briefly reviews the basics of thyroid regulation, describes current laboratory tests, reports a 10% incidence of undiagnosed hypothyroidism in studies of almost 400 depressed or lethargic patients, and recommends an approach to the thyroid work-up for the psychiatrist.