Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2013) 33 P83 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.33.P83

BSPED2013 Poster Presentations (1) (89 abstracts)

BSPED National thyrotoxicosis study: patient characteristics and initial response to antithyroid drug therapy

Vani Balasubrahmanyam , Neil Davidson , Christine Harle & Tim Cheetham on behalf of BSPED


Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.


Introduction: The BSPED UK thyrotoxicosis study has been running for 10 years. The primary objective is to assess biochemical control on block and replace (BR) and dose titration (DT) regimens. The final patient was recruited towards the end of 2011 and study will finish in 2015. We would like to describe the baseline characteristics of study patients and the initial response to anti-thyroid drug therapy (ATD).

Methods: We focused on patient age, sex, BMI and the initial change in levels of TSH and free thyroxine (FT4) following initiation of anti-thyroid drug. We also examined the time taken for FT4 and TSH to normalise according to local reference values.

Results: 81 patients have been recruited (41BR, 40 DT). 77% were female, median age at presentation was 13 years (range 3–16 years) and 83% were aged 10–15 years. The median BMI SDS was 0.08 with a range from −1.92 to 2.4. The median baseline FT4 was 48 (range 13.5–150 pmol/l). The percentage of FT4 values in the range <25, 25–50, 51–75, 76–100 and >100 pmol/l was 6, 47, 15, 23 and 6% respectively. In 98% cases TSH was suppressed at diagnosis. The average starting dose of ATD (Carbimazole) was 0.65 mg/kg per day and FT4 normalised in 60% of cases within 4weeks and in 95% patients within 16weeks. Only 12% achieved normal TSH values within 4weeks and 45% by 16weeks. There was no relationship between baseline thyroid function and time taken for FT4 to normalise.

Conclusions: UK patients with thyrotoxicosis are not thin at presentation. Parents can be informed that FT4 will be within the normal range or close to normal range within 4 weeks if a dose of Carbimazole between 0.5 and 0.75 mg/kg is administered. TSH levels cannot be used to guide therapy in this early phase of treatment.

Volume 33

41st Meeting of the British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes

British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes 

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