title: Thyroxine administration during radiation therapy to the neck does not prevent subsequent thyroid dysfunction.
abstract: In an attempt to reduce the incidence of hypothyroidism following irradiation of the neck, we administered oral L-thyroxine in doses sufficient to suppress serum TSH to 20 patients receiving radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease or other lymphomas. L-thyroxine was discontinued when radiation therapy was completed. Twenty similar patients who did not receive L-thyroxine during radiation therapy served as a control group. After a mean follow-up period of 33 months, seven patients (35%) in the L-thyroxine group developed elevation of serum TSH and were started on chronic L-thyroxine therapy. In the control group, after mean follow-up of 19 months, five patients (25%) developed elevation of TSH and were started on chronic L-thyroxine. We conclude that suppression of serum TSH during neck irradiation does not prevent subsequent thyroid dysfunction.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000528:radiation effects; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine