Abstract
Background. The purpose of this study was to characterize the hypothyroidism that occurs following
hemithyroidectomy. Methods. The records of all euthyroid patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy from 1992 to
2000 were reviewed to determine the frequency of postsurgical hypothyroidism and the
predisposing factors. All patients were evaluated for age, gender, serum thyrotropin
(TSH) levels, weight of resected thyroid tissue, and associated thyroiditis. Hypothyroid
patients were evaluated for symptoms, timing of diagnosis, and treatment doses of
levothyroxine (L-T4). Results. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 25 (35%) of 71 patients, subclinical in 16 and overt
in 9 with a mean postoperative TSH level of 8.51 ± 6.53 μIU/L. The mean preoperative
TSH level was 1.94 ± 1.00 μIU/L in hypothyroid compared with 1.10 ± 0.74 μIU/L in
euthyroid patients (P <.05). Lymphocytic thyroiditis was present in 10 (40%) of 25 hypothyroid compared
with 10 (22%) of 46 euthyroid patients (P = not significant). There were no significant differences in age, gender, or weight
of resected thyroid tissue. The average therapeutic dose of L-T4 was 1.3 μg/kg (range, 0.5 to 1.9 μg/kg). All but 2 hypothyroid patients were diagnosed
within 2 months of operation. Conclusions. Hypothyroidism following hemithyroidectomy occurs in patients with higher preoperative
TSH levels, is usually mild and asymptomatic, and can be treated with reduced doses
of L-T4. (Surgery 2000;128:994-8.)
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Article info
Footnotes
*Reprint requests: Christopher R. McHenry, MD, Department of Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth H918, Cleveland, OH 44109-1998.
**Surgery 2000;128:994-8.
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
