NCT01840332

Method of Endogenous TSH Stimulation in the Follow-up of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Tartu · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer (DCT) includes surgery followed by radioiodine treatment. In the follow-up of patients it is necessary to induce TSH elevation to test for cancer recurrence. One of the options is to stop L-thyroxin replacement for several weeks. Current pilot study aims to induce the necessary TSH elevation by decreasing the L-thyroxin dose. The main hypothesis is that necessary TSH stimulation will be achieved during 4-6 weeks in majority of patients.

Detailed description

The treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer (DCT) includes surgery followed by radioiodine treatment. In the follow-up of patients it is necessary to induce TSH elevation for the measurement of thyreoglobulin and/or total body scanning. There are two principal methods to obtain TSH elevation: 1) injection of recombinant human TSH , and 2) to stop L-thyroxin replacement for several (3-4) weeks. As use of recombinant TSH is rather expensive, this method is not feasible in many countries. The problem with stopping L-thyroxin is development of severe hypothyroidism for several weeks with concomitant symptoms and signs. Current pilot study aims to induce the necessary TSH elevation by decreasing the L-thyroxin dose. The main hypothesis is that necessary TSH stimulation will be achieved during 4-6 weeks in majority of patients with fixed dose of L-thyroxin. Concomitantly, blood tests and symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism will be obtained to get information about possible deviations during treatment with low dose of thyroxin.

Conditions

• Thyroid Cancer

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	L-thyroxin	Low dose of L-thyroxin (50 microg/day) will be used during 4 weeks. If TSH is \< 30 after 4 weeks the study continues up to 6 weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-04-01
• Primary completion: 2014-02-01
• Completion: 2014-02-01
• First posted: 2013-04-25
• Last updated: 2014-03-14

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Estonia