The importance of elevated TSH in serum after subtotal thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism. A five-year follow-up study.
68 patients operated on for hyperthyroidism were observed regularly for 5 years after operation as regards the concentration of TSH in serum and the incidence of hypothyroidism and recurrent hyperthyroidism. 20 patients had elevated TSH 6 weeks after operation. 5 years later 9 of them had developed hypothyroidism, 6 had elevated TSH without clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism, while 5 were normal in all measured thyroid variables. 48 patients had normal TSH 6 weeks after operation. 5 years later 5 of them had developed a recurrence of hyperthyroidism, 4 had elevated TSH with no clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism, while the remaining 39 patients were euthyroid with normal thyroid variables. A scheme for follow-up of patients operated on for hyperthyroidism is proposed, with close follow-up of patients with elevated TSH soon after operation.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*
D013972:Thyrotropin