Influence of thyroxine treatment on thyroid size and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
OBJECTIVE
It has been postulated that a decrease in thyroid size can be achieved by thyroxine treatment in patients with goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis but no objective data are available. We have therefore investigated the influence of thyroxine treatment on ultrasonically determined thyroid size. We also measured serum antithyroid peroxidase antibodies.


METHODS
Consecutive patients with goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis was studied.


METHODS
Thirteen women participated; all had goitrous thyroiditis.


METHODS
To render them euthyroid thyroxine was given for 24 months.


METHODS
Thyroid size was measured ultrasonically and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies were measured using a commercial radioimmunological method.


RESULTS
Concomitant with the gradual increase in serum free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine index values and a fall in serum thyrotrophin level, a gradual decrease in thyroid volume from 50.4 +/- 6.8 ml (mean +/- SEM) to 34.1 +/- 5.7 ml (32%), P less than 0.001 was demonstrated. Antithyroid peroxidase antibodies were present in high concentrations in all subjects but the mean serum level was not significantly changed at 24 months after initiation of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
A clinically significant reduction in thyroid volume related to normalization of thyroid function but unrelated to changes in antithyroid peroxidase antibody can be achieved during L-thyroxine treatment of hypothyroid goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Hegedüs
L
L
Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology F, Herlev Hospital, Denmark.
Hansen
J M
JM
Feldt-Rasmussen
U
U
Hansen
B M
BM
Høier-Madsen
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D001323:Autoantibodies; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase; D013974:Thyroxine