Thyroid hormone measurement items in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis on levothyroxine monotherapy: management based on thyroid tissue volume
摘要
We have demonstrated that mild suppression of thyrotropin (TSH) using levothyroxine (LT4) is necessary to achieve normal free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels and a metabolic euthyroid state in athyreotic patients. Consequently, management strategies based on thyroid volume (TV) have been implemented in patients receiving LT4 at Kuma Hospital. While Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) can vary from atrophic to diffusely enlarged thyroid volumes.
MethodsIn this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the composition of thyroid hormone measurement items (serum FT4, FT3, and FT4+FT3) in patients receiving LT4 monotherapy for HT, stratifying them by TV, as assessed using ultrasonography.
ResultsWe identified 7,576 consecutive patients from their medical records. These patients were classified into five groups based on TV: atrophic thyroid (TV ≤ 10 mL); normal thyroid (TV 10–20 mL); mildly enlarged thyroid (TV 20–50 mL); moderately enlarged thyroid (TV 50–80 mL); and large thyroid (TV > 80 mL). In all patient groups, FT4 measurements constituted the majority or nearly half of all assessments. However, the proportion of FT3 measurements increased notably in the atrophic thyroid group (34%) and in the large goiter group (29%). Patients receiving LT4 were evaluated based on their TSH levels. In the reduced TSH group, FT3 accounted for nearly half of all measurements (47%). Conversely, in the normal TSH group, FT4 accounted for the majority of all measurements (76%).
ConclusionThis study revealed that FT3, rather than FT4, was the predominant thyroid hormone measured in a significant number of patients with HT on LT4 monotherapy at our hospital. Furthermore, our study highlights a management approach whereby TSH levels were intentionally suppressed in some patients.