title: Effects of isotretinoin on the thyroid gland and thyroid function tests in acne patients: A preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Isotretinoin is widely used in the treatment of acne.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the effects of isotretinoin on thyroid function tests and thyroid volume in acne patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, a total of 104 acne patients were included. Sixty-six patients were treated with isotretinoin for at least 4 months. Thirty eight patients were included in the control group. The levels of thyroid stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, antithyroglobulin and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies were measured and a thyroid ultrasound was performed in all the subjects before treatment and 4 months after treatment. A "p" value of < 0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the isotretinoin-treated group, thyroid stimulating hormone levels increased significantly during isotretinoin treatment (P = 0.018). Free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, anti-thyroid peroxidase levels and thyroid volume decreased significantly during treatment (P = 0.016, P= 0.012, P= 0.006, P = 0.020 respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The major limitation of this study is the lack of follow-up data after the cessation of isotretinoin therapy in acne patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients treated with isotretinoin should be monitored with thyroid function tests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Sifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Belkiz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Uyar
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Sifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aynur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Solak
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Sifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saklamaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Sifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muhittin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akyildiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Sifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Berhan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Genc
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Sifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gökduman
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D015474:Isotretinoin