title: Weight Gain and Serum TSH Increase within the Reference Range after Hemithyroidectomy Indicate Lowered Thyroid Function.
abstract: Background. Weight gain is frequently reported after hemithyroidectomy but the significance is recently discussed. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine changes in body weight of hemithyroidectomized patients and to evaluate if TSH increase within the reference range could be related to weight gain. Methods. In a controlled follow-up study, two years after hemithyroidectomy for benign euthyroid goiter, postoperative TSH and body weight of 28 patients were compared to preoperative values and further compared to the results in 47 matched control persons, after a comparable follow-up period. Results. Two years after hemithyroidectomy, median serum TSH was increased over preoperative levels (1.23 versus 2.08 mIU/L, P < 0.01) and patients had gained weight (75.0 versus 77.3 kg, P = 0.02). Matched healthy controls had unchanged median serum TSH (1.70 versus 1.60 mIU/L, P = 0.13) and weight (69.3 versus 69.3 kg, P = 0.71). Patients on thyroxin treatment did not gain weight. TSH increase was significantly correlated with weight gain (r = 0.43, P < 0.01). Conclusion. Two years after hemithyroidectomy for benign euthyroid goiter, thyroid function is lowered within the laboratory reference range. Weight gain of patients who are biochemically euthyroid after hemithyroidectomy may be a clinical manifestation of a permanently decreased metabolic rate.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Koege Hospital, Region Zealand, 4600 Koege, Denmark.
authors: Tina
authors: 0000-0002-6055-9717
authors: T
authors: Toft Kristensen
authors: Department of Clinical Pathology, Naestved Hospital, Region Zealand, 4700 Naestved, Denmark.
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Larsen
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Naestved Hospital, Region Zealand, 4700 Naestved, Denmark.
authors: Palle Lyngsie
authors: 0000-0001-6353-9298
authors: PL
authors: Pedersen
authors: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Naestved Hospital, Region Zealand, 4700 Naestved, Denmark.
authors: Anne-Dorthe
authors: 0000-0002-1791-6504
authors: AD
authors: Feldthusen
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Naestved Hospital, Region Zealand, 4700 Naestved, Denmark.
authors: Christina
authors: 0000-0002-3088-4375
authors: C
authors: Ellervik
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Koege Hospital, Region Zealand, 4600 Koege, Denmark.
authors: Søren
authors: S
authors: Jelstrup
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Naestved Hospital, Region Zealand, 4700 Naestved, Denmark ; University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.
authors: Jan
authors: 0000-0002-8019-8584
authors: J
authors: Kvetny