Thyroid

Benign thyroid swelling presenting as Horner's syndrome (2020)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Shaji S.K.; *Chan J.; *Hari C

Citation:
BMJ Case Reports; Dec 2020; vol. 13 (no. 12).

Abstract:
Horner's syndrome is a rare neurological condition seen in association with the disruption in the sympathetic nerve supply. Thyroid swelling is a common condition but rarely causes cervical sympathetic chain compression. We describe a case of a 54-year-old man who presented with Horner's syndrome secondary to a benign thyroid nodule with pressure effect on the sympathetic chain. An association between thyroid pathologies and Horner's syndrome has been mentioned previously, however, to our knowledge, this is the first case of Horner's syndrome being the initial presentation for an underlying benign thyroid swelling.

Link to full-text [NHS OpenAthens account required]

The Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction and Autoimmunity in Women With History of Miscarriage or Subfertility (2020)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Rima K Dhillon-Smith, Aurelio Tobias, Paul P Smith, Lee J Middleton, Kirandeep K Sunner, Krystyna Baker, Samantha Farrell-Carver, Ruth Bender-Atik, Rina Agrawal, Kalsang Bhatia, Justin J Chu, Edmond Edi-Osagie, Ayman Ewies, Tarek Ghobara, Pratima Gupta, Davor Jurkovic, Yacoub Khalaf, Khashia Mulbagal, Natalie Nunes, Caroline Overton, Siobhan Quenby, Raj Rai, Nick Raine-Fenning, Lynne Robinson, Jackie Ross, Andrew Sizer, Rachel Small, *Martyn Underwood , Mark D Kilby, Jane Daniels, Shakila Thangaratinam, Shiao Chan, Kristien Boelaert, Arri Coomarasamy

Citation:
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 105, Issue 8, August 2020

Abstract:
Objective: To describe the prevalence of and factors associated with different thyroid dysfunction phenotypes in women who are asymptomatic preconception.
Design: Observational cohort study.
Setting: A total of 49 hospitals across the United Kingdom between 2011 and 2016.
Participants: Women aged 16 to 41 years with history of miscarriage or subfertility trying for a pregnancy.
Methods: Prevalences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the binomial exact method. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for thyroid disease.
Intervention: None.
Main Outcome Measure: Rates of thyroid dysfunction.
Results: Thyroid function and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) data were available for 19213 and 19237 women, respectively. The prevalence of abnormal thyroid function was 4.8% (95% CI, 4.5-5.1); euthyroidism was defined as levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) of 0.44 to 4.50 mIU/L and free thyroxine (fT4) of 10 to 21 pmol/L. Overt hypothyroidism (TSH > 4.50 mIU/L, fT4 < 10 pmol/L) was present in 0.2% of women (95% CI, 0.1-0.3) and overt hyperthyroidism (TSH < 0.44 mIU/L, fT4 > 21 pmol/L) was present in 0.3% (95% CI, 0.2-0.3). The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) using an upper TSH concentration of 4.50 mIU/L was 2.4% (95% CI, 2.1-2.6). Lowering the upper TSH to 2.50 mIU/L resulted in higher rates of SCH, 19.9% (95% CI, 19.3-20.5). Multiple regression analyses showed increased odds of SCH (TSH > 4.50 mIU/L) with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35.0 kg/m2 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.71; 95% CI, 1.13-2.57; P = 0.01) and Asian ethnicity (aOR 1.76; 95% CI, 1.31-2.37; P < 0.001), and increased odds of SCH (TSH ≥ 2.50 mIU/L) with subfertility (aOR 1.16; 95% CI, 1.04-1.29; P = 0.008). TPOAb positivity was prevalent in 9.5% of women (95% CI, 9.1-9.9).
Conclusions: The prevalence of undiagnosed overt thyroid disease is low. SCH and TPOAb are common, particularly in women with higher BMI or of Asian ethnicity. A TSH cutoff of 2.50 mIU/L to define SCH results in a significant proportion of women potentially requiring levothyroxine treatment.

Link to full-text [no password required]

Altmetrics:

Thyrotoxicosis and the consumption of bovine thyroid tissue (2021)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
S Senthilkumaran, *F Benita, P Thirumalaikolundusubramanian, K Swaminathan

Citation:
QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians; Jul 2021; vol. 114 (no. 4); p. 253-254

Abstract:
Thyrotoxicosis due to consumption of bovine thyroid tissue is called hamburger thyroiditis. Despite bovine meat consumption in India and Asia, it is surprising to note that very few thyrotoxicosis from food contamination has been reported from Asia. We report a case of exogenous thyrotoxicosis due to bovine thyroid tissue consumption probably for the first time from Asia, to create an awareness of this entity among physicians and practitioners and others to consider this entity while handling patients with features of thyrotoxicosis of recent onset.

Identification of a thra mutation in a 2yr old child with clinical features of hypothyroidism and multisystem involvement (2019)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Sakremath R.; Moran C.; Lyons G.; Chatterjee K.; Rajanayagam O.; Boelaert K.; Mohamed Z.

Citation:
Hormone Research in Paediatrics; Sep 2019; vol. 91 ; p. 272

Abstract:
Background: Thyroid hormones act via receptors (TRalpha; TRbeta) encoded by separate genes (THRA, THRB). Mutations in THRA are a recently-recognised cause of Resistance to Thyroid Hormone alpha (RTHalpha), a disorder with tissue-specific hypothyroidism but near-normal thyroid function tests. Aim(s): We describe the youngest recorded case of RTHalpha, in a 2yr old boy with disproportionate short stature, global developmental delay, constipation and a heterozygous missense mutation (p.G291S) in THRA. Case Report: A 16-month old male was referred to endocrine clinic with short stature. He had disproportionate stature with reduced subischial leg length (Table 1). He is in care, with a maternal antenatal history of substance abuse (exposure to methadone, heroine and alcohol in utero). He has global developmental delay and is mildly dysmorphic with constipation, all attributed to chromosome 16p13.11 microduplication. Examination revealed coarse facial appearance, depressed nasal bridge, long philtrum and central hypotonia. He had delayed visual maturation, hypermetropia, small kidneys and gastroesophageal reflux. His motor milestones (unable to sit without support) and speech are delayed. Laboratory analysis revealed normocytic anaemia, elevated creatine kinase levels, low-normal T4 and elevated T3 levels leading to altered T4:T3 ratio, with normal TSH levels. THRA sequencing identified a heterozygous missense (p.G291S) mutation, which is homologous to a known pathogenic mutation in THRB (G345S), causing RTHbeta. Correlation of genotype with phenotype and assessment of response to thyroxine therapy (25mcg/day) is being undertaken. Conclusion(s): We suggest that THRA sequencing should be considered in patients with clinical features of hypothyroidism, raised CK, anaemia and near-normal thyroid function tests but altered T4:T3 ratio. This case broadens the phenotypic spectrum of RTHalpha. (Table Presented).

Link to full-text [no password required]

Levothyroxine in Women with Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies before Conception (2019)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Randomised controlled trial

Author(s):
Dhillon-Smith, Rima K; Middleton, Lee J; Sunner, Kirandeep K; Cheed, Versha; Baker, Krys; Farrell-Carver, Samantha; Bender-Atik, Ruth; Agrawal, Rina; Bhatia, Kalsang; Edi-Osagie, Edmond; Ghobara, Tarek; Gupta, Pratima; Jurkovic, Davor; Khalaf, Yacoub; MacLean, Marjory; McCabe, Christopher; Mulbagal, Khashia; Nunes, Natalie; Overton, Caroline; Quenby, Siobhan; Rai, Raj; Raine-Fenning, Nick; Robinson, Lynne; Ross, Jackie; *Sizer, Andrew; Small, Rachel; Tan, Alex; *Underwood, Martyn ; Kilby, Mark D; Boelaert, Kristien; Daniels, Jane; Thangaratinam, Shakila; Chan, Shiao Y; Coomarasamy, Arri

Citation:
The New England Journal of Medicine Apr 2019; 380 (no. 14); p. 1316-1325

Abstract:
BACKGROUND Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and preterm birth, even when thyroid function is normal. Small trials indicate that the use of levothyroxine could reduce the incidence of such adverse outcomes. METHODS We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate whether levothyroxine treatment would increase live-birth rates among euthyroid women who had thyroid peroxidase antibodies and a history of miscarriage or infertility. A total of 19,585 women from 49 hospitals in the United Kingdom underwent testing for thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroid function. We randomly assigned 952 women to receive either 50 μg once daily of levothyroxine (476 women) or placebo (476 women) before conception through the end of pregnancy. The primary outcome was live birth after at least 34 weeks of gestation. RESULTS The follow-up rate for the primary outcome was 98.7% (940 of 952 women). A total of 266 of 470 women in the levothyroxine group (56.6%) and 274 of 470 women in the placebo group (58.3%) became pregnant. The live-birth rate was 37.4% (176 of 470 women) in the levothyroxine group and 37.9% (178 of 470 women) in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83 to 1.14, P = 0.74; absolute difference, -0.4 percentage points; 95% CI, -6.6 to 5.8). There were no significant between group differences in other pregnancy outcomes, including pregnancy loss or preterm birth, or in neonatal outcomes. Serious adverse events occurred in 5.9% of women in the levothyroxine group and 3.8% in the placebo group (P = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS The use of levothyroxine in euthyroid women with thyroid peroxidase antibodies did not result in a higher rate of live births than placebo. (Funded by the United Kingdom National Institute for Health Research; TABLET Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN15948785.).

Altmetrics

Cited by 94 other articles

Thyroid tolerance in adjuvant supraclavicular fossa nodalradiotherapy in breast cancer (2016)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Pettit L., *Welsh A., *Khanduri S.

Citation:
Radiotherapy and Oncology, April 2016, vol./is. 119/(S558)

Abstract:
Purpose or Objective: Hypothyroidism is the most commonly reported long-term toxicity following radiotherapy to structures near to the thyroid gland. Emami suggested the thyroid gland tolerance as 45Gy (TD 5/5) although a much wider range of 10-80 Gy has been reported in the literature. When irradiating the supraclavicular fossa (SCF) in adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer, it is inevitable that the thyroid gland will receive a high dose of radiation due to its proximity to the target volume. Recently there has been a move to CT based delineation of the CTV and organs at risk (OAR) in patients requiring nodal radiotherapy for breast cancer compared with the previous bony land mark/field based techniques. Dose received by the thyroid gland and subsequent late toxicity has not yet been well studied in breast cancer. Material and Methods: Patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy to the breast or chest wall plus SCF between 01/04/15-01/10/15 were identified. Radiotherapy planning contrast enhanced CT scans were taken. External beam radiotherapy was planned with tangents using a field in field approach with a matched direct anterior field. A low weighted posterior field was added if deemed appropriate for adequate dose coverage. Angle corrections were used as appropriate. A dose of 40.05 Gy in 15 fractions prescribed at depth was employed. CTV's were contoured in accordance with the RTOG contouring atlas. The thyroid gland was prospectively delineated and D5% was recorded. Results: Seventeen patients undergoing adjuvant SCF radiotherapy were identified. T stage was as follows: T1:2 patients, T2:9 patients, T3:4 patients, T4a:1 patient,T4d:1 patient. N stage; N1:1 patient, N2:14 patients, N3:2 patients. Fourteen were hormone receptor positive, 3 hormone negative. Twelve were HER2 negative, 5 HER2 positive. Mean D5% thyroid was 37.9Gy (range 7-42.7 Gy). Excluding one patient with a previous hemi-thyroidectomy, the mean D5% thyroid was 39.8 Gy (range 16-42.7 Gy). An abnormality requiring referral to a surgeon for was discovered in one patient. Conclusion: Our departmental tolerance for the thyroid gland was set as 40Gy (for 2.67Gy per fraction). It is hard to achieve this without compromise of the CTV. The effect modern chemotherapy/targeted agents may have on this prior to receiving radiotherapy is inknown. Baseline TSH recording is desirable. Long-term follow up to detect clinical or biochemical thyroid dysfunction is needed to inform practice but would present challenges with capacity in busy oncology departments.

Link to more details or full-text: https://user-swndwmf.cld.bz/ESTRO-35/ESTRO-35-Abstract-book3/585

Incidence of malignancy in solitary thyroid nodules (2015)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Keh, S M, *El-Shunnar, S K, Palmer, T, *Ahsan, S F

Citation:
Journal of Laryngology and Otology, Jul 2015, vol. 129, no. 7, p. 677-681

Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of solitary thyroid nodules in patients who underwent thyroid surgery. A retrospective review was performed of the case notes of all adult patients who underwent thyroid surgery from January 2003 to December 2009. All patients with solitary thyroid nodules identified by ultrasonography were included. In total, 225 patients underwent thyroid surgery. The prevalence of solitary thyroid nodules was 27.1 per cent (61 out of 225 patients). Seventy-two per cent of patients were women and the mean age at presentation was 52 ± 16 years. In all, 75.4 per cent of solitary nodules had neoplastic pathology and the malignancy rate was 34.4 per cent. The sensitivity and specificity of fine needle aspiration cytology for neoplasm detection were 73.9 per cent and 80.0 per cent, respectively. There was no association between the various ultrasonography parameters and malignancy risk (p > 0.05). Solitary thyroid nodules should be investigated thoroughly with a high index of suspicion because there is a high probability (34.0 per cent) of malignancy.