Abstract
In an attempt to reduce the incidence of hypothyroidism following irradiation of the neck, we administered oral L-thyroxine in doses sufficient to suppress serum TSH to 20 patients receiving radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease or other lymphomas. L-thyroxine was discontinued when radiation therapy was completed. Twenty similar patients who did not receive L-thyroxine during radiation therapy served as a control group. After a mean follow-up period of 33 months, seven patients (35%) in the L-thyroxine group developed elevation of serum TSH and were started on chronic L-thyroxine therapy. In the control group, after mean follow-up of 19 months, five patients (25%) developed elevation of TSH and were started on chronic L-thyroxine. We conclude that suppression of serum TSH during neck irradiation does not prevent subsequent thyroid dysfunction.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1999-2002 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1985 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Supported by Clinical Research Center Grant RR400 from the Division of Research Resources, National Institutes of Health.
Keywords
- Hypothyroidism
- L-thyroxine
- Radiation therapy
- TSH suppression