Undetected latrogenic hypothyroidism: a late complication of radio-iodine therapy.
The thyroid status of 317 patients treated with radioactive iodine between 1951 and December 1971 was investigated. Information was obtained on 236 patients and hypothyroidism, either treated or untreated, was present in 48 percent of women and 37 percent of men at mean follow-up intervals of 5.5 and 4.4 years respectively. Ninety-four of the 241 patients still alive were assessed personally by clinical examination and serum thyroxine assay, and 10 were found to have previously undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Seven of these patients had symptoms and in five these symptonms were the cause of significant distress. The importance of undertaking a long term review programme following radioactive iodine therapy is emphasised.
D000236:Adenoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000532:radiotherapy; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes