Before Moving Towards Recombinant Thyrotropin, Can We Benefit From Anti-Thyroid Drugs? A Case Study

A Soltani; N Rahimian; Z Rahbar; H Moosapour

International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism

Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences

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Before Moving Towards Recombinant Thyrotropin, Can We Benefit From Anti-Thyroid Drugs? A Case Study

Author(s):

A Soltani^1,*,

N Rahimian²,

Z Rahbar²,

H Moosapour²

1Endocrinology & Metabolism Research Centre, Shariati Hospital andResearch Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, soltania@sina.tums.ac.ir, IR.Iran

2Students Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, IR.Iran

International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism:Vol. 6, issue 3; 151-153

Article type:Case Report

Received:Mar 07, 2008

Accepted:Aug 21, 2008

How to Cite:A SoltaniN RahimianZ RahbarH MoosapourBefore Moving Towards Recombinant Thyrotropin, Can We Benefit From Anti-Thyroid Drugs? A Case Study.Int J Endocrinol Metab.6(3):151-153.

Abstract

In patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma, performing an effective radioactive iodine abla-tion after total thyroidectomy requires adequate levels of serum thyrotropin. Administration of recombinant human thyroid stimulating hor-mone (rhTSH) is the current established method for patients with insufficient serum TSH levels four to six weeks after surgery and levothyroxine discontinuation. Two major problems with rhTSH are its cost and availability in most countries worldwide. We have used propylthiouracil (PTU), a routine anti-thyroid drug, for the first time to induce a TSH rise. Our patient was a 33-year-old woman with remnant thyroid tissue of 11. 5×4 mm after thyroidectomy. Her TSH was 12.7 µIU/ml, five weeks after surgery, and rose to 30. 0 µIU/ml after a 10 day trial of PTU. Radioiodine uptake index also increased from 28% to 56%. Radioiodine ablation was successfully done and patient showed no sign of recurrence or me-tastasis after 4 years. We propose that anti-thyroid drugs may be considered for post-operative induction of TSH rise in patients con-sidered for radioiodine ablation of thyroid can-cer. This may increase the chance of successful ablations with least possible cost.

Keywords

Thyroid papillary carcinoma

Iodine radioisotopes

Anti-thyroid drugs

Recombinant thyrotropin

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