[Results of levothyroxine therapy in thyroid nodules].
The aim of this study--to investigate the effect of Levothyroxine on thyroid nodules avoiding the growth of nodules. We have compared results with studies, had evaluated this treatment method and discuss about guidelines of endocrinologist's-practitioner's consensus on this subject.


METHODS
Sixty-two patients (all female) were evaluated. The mean age of the group was 47.89 +/- 13.73 year. Plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration was measured in all patients before therapy initiation and after 6 months, some of them were observed during 24 months (20 (32.3%)) and were examined every 6 months. Nodules evaluation was made by ultrasound. Therapy with Levothyroxine was prescribed for 37 (59.68%) patients. The data was compared with 25 (40.32%) cases of control group not treated with Levothyroxine.


RESULTS
There was reached mild TSH suppression in 11 (29.7%) cases, moderate--in 4 (10.8%), strong in 2 (5.4%) prescribing 54.39 +/- 26.71 micrograms of Levothyroxine. Thirteen women's TSH significantly decreased, while was > 1 mIU/L. Seven (18.9%) patients failed suppression.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment with little-moderate doses decreased TSH significantly and TSH suppression mild to strong was achieved in a half of treated investigative; furthermore, the size of thyroid nodules have changed statistically significant after 6 months of therapy and positive effect was reached for 89.2% of treated patients.
Sakalauskiene
Egle
E
Kauno medicinos universiteto Endokrinologijos klinika, Eiveniu 2, 3007 Kaunas. eglesak@takas.lt
Jankuviene
Danguole
D
Musneckiene
Jūrate
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine