Clinical Thyroidology for the Public summarizes selected research studies discussed in the previous month’s issue of Clinical Thyroidology, an official publication of the American Thyroid Association. Editor-in-chief, Alan Farwell, MD, FACE
Volume 18 Issue 1
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Clinical Thyroidology for the Public Volume 18 Issue 1 (PDF file, 2.32 MB)
TABLE OF CONTENTS – Web Format
HYPOTHYROIDISM .
Does desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) safely improve quality of life in hypothyroid patients?
Currently, levothyroxine (L-T4) is the recommended treatment for hypothyroidism worldwide. In recent years, more patients have been interested in using alternative treatments like DTE. This study reviews and summarizes the available evidence on the potential risks and benefits of DTE compared to conventional therapies like L-T4.
Riis K et al Potential risks and benefits of desiccated thyroid extract for the treatment of hypothyroidism: a systematic review. Thyroid 2024;34(6):687-701; doi: 10.1089/ thy.2023.0649. PMID: 38526391.
THYROID FUNCTION TESTS
Does temperature change affect thyroid function?
Thyroid hormone plays an important role in keeping bodily temperature stable when the outside temperature changes. Previous studies have shown that TSH levels vary from season to season, with higher TSH levels seen in colder seasons and lower TSH levels in warmer seasons. The authors of this study aimed to assess changes in thyroid function in changing temperature using the national database of Korea, where temperatures can vary widely between seasons.
Sung J & Kim JH. Association between ambient temperature and thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine levels in Korean euthyroid adults. Environ Res 2024;262(Pt 2):119918; doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119918; PMID:39237021.
HYPOTHYROIDISM
Thyroid hormone treatment after weight loss surgery
In many cases, the dose of thyroid hormone required to treat hypothyroidism is related to the patient’s weight. Significant weight loss can decrease the thyroid hormone dose needed to get the thyroid levels into the normal range. This study was done to evaluate the change in thyroid hormone dosing in hypothyroid patients who are undergoing weight loss surgery.
Barzin M et al. Thyroid hormone replacement dosing after bariatric surgery in patients with primary hypothyroidism and severe obesity: Tehran Obesity Treatment Study. Thyroid. Epub 2024 Aug 19. doi: 10.1089/thy.2024.0073. PMID: 39155815.
HYPOTHYROIDISM .
Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism slightly reduces risk of heart problems
Studies examining the effect of treating SCH with L-T4 on heart disease are variable. Therefore, the use of L-T4 in decreasing cardiovascular outcomes in patients with SCH remains controversial. This study aimed to conclude whether L-T4 replacement affects the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with SCH.
Yu OUY, et al. Levothyroxine treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism and the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Thyroid. Epub 20204 Aug 2024; doi: 10.1089/ thy.2024.0227. PMID: 39104265.
THYROID CANCER
Predictors of survival in thyroid cancer with distant metastases
In general, patients with thyroid cancer have an excellent prognosis overall. Indeed, <10% of patients have thyroid cancer that spreads outside outside of the neck. This study was done to identify the role of specific clinical and pathologic factors that determine disease-specific survival and overall survival in thyroid cancer patients with distant metastases.
Chen DW, et al. Survival prognostication in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and distant metastases: a SEER population-based study. Thyroid 2024;34(7):837-845; doi: 10.1089/thy.2023.0709. PMID: 38757633.
THYROID CANCER
Outcomes of patients undergoing surgery after initially being monitored for small thyroid cancer
For the last decade or so, the option to monitor small, low-risk cancers (active surveillance) as an alternative to surgery has become more common. Studies to date have shown that there has been no difference in survival between surgery initially and after a period of active surveillance. This study aims to investigate the indication for surgery, the cancer doubling time, the findings during surgery, surgical complications, and surgical pathology findings in patients that proceed to surgery after a period of active
Levyn H, et al Outcomes of conversion surgery for patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Epub 2024 May 15; doi: 10.1001/ jamaoto.2024.1699. PMID: 38749064.
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