Testing for recovery of thyroid function after withdrawal of long-term suppression therapy.
Many persons are given thyroid hormone for long periods without sufficient justification. We selected 45 patients whose chart reviews did not demonstrate a clear need for thyroid replacement. Thyroid hormone was withdrawn and blood samples taken for free thyroxine index and TSH levels at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after thyroid withdrawal. At 8 weeks, 30 of the 45 were normal. A single TSH test 8 weeks after thyroid withdrawal appears to be the most efficient way to separate euthyroid from hypothyroid patients.
Rubinoff
H
H
Department of Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Oakland, CA 94611.
Fireman
B H
BH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
D013963:Thyroid Hormones