[Clinical usefulness of serum total cholesterol as an index of hypothyroidism in patients after cervical radiation].
Cervical radiation therapy is often applied to patients with head and neck cancers because radiation has a high sensitivity to these cancers and permits the preservation of functions and physical form. However, it has been shown that various complications can result from radiation therapy. We have encountered some patients who showed hypercholesterolemia resulting from cervical radiation. Therefore, we have paid close attention to the relationship between hypercholesterolemia after cervical radiation and hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone tests in these patients with hypercholesterolemia after cervical radiation showed high thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and low free thyroxine (fT4), indicating the presence of hypothyroidism. After administration of levothyroxine Na, their fT4 levels increased and both TSH levels and serum total cholesterol levels decreased. In conclusion, in patients who have received cervical radiation, we recommend monitoring serum total cholesterol periodically to detect hypothyroidism easily before the appearance of its symptoms.
Iguma
Yoko
Y
Department of Pharmacy, Kyoto University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
Iwai
Chikako
C
Okuyama
Masako
M
Futami
Takahiro
T
Asato
Ryo
R
Inui
Ken-ichi
K
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D002784:Cholesterol; D013974:Thyroxine