Endocrine Abstracts

The efficacy of Levothyroxine suppressive therapy in thyroid nodules is still controversial; the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of levothyroxine on nodule volume.

Subjects and methods: Ninety three euthyroid patients (92 females, mean age =43.7 years) harboring multindular (n=53) or solitary (n=40) nodules hare been treated for at least 6 months with thyroid hormones (Levothyroxine), the nodule size is assessed by it’s maximal diameter on sonography, a decrease of 20% or more is considered as significant.

Results: After a mean period of treatment of 18 months, 32% of the patients showed a significant decrease in nodule volme with a complete disappearance of the nodule in 11% despite an insufficient dosage as evidenced by thyrotropin which wasn’t well sppressed, the response rate is better in solitary nodules than in multinodular goiter.

Conclusion: We conclude from this study that hormonal suppressive therapy is an effective treatment at least in some patients in reducing nodule volume.