title: Recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone in radioiodine thyroid remnant ablation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To prevent the unwarranted effects of post-thyroidectomy hypothyroidism prior to radiodine (RAI) ablation, patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer can currently undergo this treatment while in a euthyroid state. This is achieved with the use of recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) injections prior to the ablation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the efficacy of rhTSH in radioiodine thyroid ablation in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for well-differentiated thyroid cancer with different levels of risk, treated with rhTSH prior to remnant ablation with radioiodine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen patients with thyroid cancer were studied and followed fora median of 25 months (range 8-49 months). Ablation (defined as stimulated thyroglobulin < 1 mg/ml and negative neck ultrasonography) was successful in 15 patients (88.2%). One of the patients was lost to follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of rhTSH with postoperative radioiodine ablation may be an efficient tool for sufficient thyroid remnant ablation, avoiding hypothyroidal state in the management of thyroid cancer patients.
authors.forename: Chrystalleni
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mylonas
authors.forename: Shifra T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Zwas
authors.forename: Galina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rotenberg
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Omry
authors.forename: Ohad
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods; D057073:Thyrotropin Alfa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D057073:Thyrotropin Alfa