To evaluate the efficacy of thyroid hormone suppressive therpy and the hormonal characteristics during suppressive therapy for solitary thyroid nodule, we measured plasma T3, T4, TSH concentration and thyroid volume by high-resolution
ultrasonography in
42 patients with benign solitary nodule proved by fine-needle aspiration biopsy before and after treatment.
After suppressive therapy, TRH stimulation testing was done.
Forty-two patients were randomized to receive the comthyroid treatment (group A, N=24) or a placebo (group B, n=18).
The duration of therapy was between 3 and 6 months.
@ES The results were as follows :
@EN 1) The clinical characteristics showed no significant differences between group A and group B.
2) Forty-two patients had 131I scintiscans. Two patients as functional nodule, 10 patients as hypofunctional nodule, 30 patients as nonfunctional nodule.
3) After thyroid hormone suppressive therapy, plasma TSH concentration were lower in group A (1.7±0.8 uU/ml) than in those of group B (7.0±3.8 uU/ml) as shown by the TRH stimulation test (p<0.0001).
4) Before and after treatment, the maximal dimension and volume of the thyroid nodules showed no significant differences between group A and group B (p>0.05). After treatment, there were significant decrement in those of group A (p<0.05) and
only
the
maximal dimension in group B (p<0.05).
Therefore we concluded that the efficacy of thyroid hormone suppressive therapy in reducing the size of solitary thyroid nodules is not apparent within 3 to 6 months, despite effective suppression of thyrotropin. (J Kor Sor Endocrinol 7:39~45,
1992)
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