[Response of thyroglobulin, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, TSH, FT4 and total T3 after rhTSH stimulation in differentiated thyroid carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the behaviour of serum thyroglobulin (Tg), antithyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and total triiodothyronine (TT3) levels at each time during the rhTSH stimulation protocol in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).


METHODS
We carried out 117 rhTSH stimulations in DTC patients. We determined the serum levels of Tg, TgAb, TSH, FT4 and TT3 at baseline and 24, 48 and 96 hours after beginning stimulation, using RIA or IRMA. The software program SPSS 15.0 was used for statistical analysis of data.


RESULTS
We found statistically significant differences between the mean Tg values at different times (2.08 ng/ml baseline; 2.64 ng/ml at 24 hours; 4.98 ng/ml at 48 hours; 6.59 ng/ml at 96 hours), reaching maximum values at 96 hours. During this time, we observed the highest percentage of pathological values. After administration of rhTSH, there was a significant increase in the mean TSH value (98.88 mIU/l at 24 hours; 111.10 mIU/l at 48 hours). The mean TSH value at 96 hours decreased approximately 5 times with respect to the mean 48 hour value. We did not observe changes in the TgAb, FT4 or TT3 levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The assessment of Tg after rhTSH stimulation should be performed 96 hours after beginning stimulation. Administration of rhTSH causes a significant elevation in serum TSH levels, without modifying serum TgAb, FT4 or TT3 levels.
Moreno Ortega
E
E
Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, España. estefania.moreno.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
Vallejo Casas
J A
JA
Mena Bares
L M
LM
del Real Núñez
R
R
Maza Muret
F R
FR
Hidalgo Ramos
F J
FJ
Latre Romero
J M
JM
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013954:Thyroglobulin; D013974:Thyroxine