Abstract
Old data seems to indicate that ectopic thyroids involuate after several years of TSH suppression by T4 treatment. This work was undertaken to study the secretion of thyroid hormone (TH) and thyroglobulin (Tg) by remnant thyroid tissue. In 16 children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) due to ectopic gland, aged 7.1±0.5 yrs (range 5-11.5 yrs), serum TSH, FT4, FT3 and Tg were measured under adequate LT4 therapy (phase I) and after 4 weeks of LT4 deprivation (phase II). Informed consent was obtained from the parents.
In phase I Tg was detectable in 8/16 patients which indicates that some thyroid secretion occurs in treated patients. Tg levels increase in phase II (range 6 to 50 ng/ml) which demonstrates in all cases the presence of actively secreting remnant tissue responsive to TSH stimulation. The low levels of FT4 and FT3 may indicate some thyroid hormone production in patients off therapy for one month.
In conclusion: Ectopic thyroid doesn't involuate during the 5 first years of life. Tg measurement is an efficient tool to evaluate remnant thyroid tissue if the patient are investigated under appropriate TSH stimulation.
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Léger, J., Czernichow, P. 28 ECTOPIC THYROID TISSUE IS STILL SECRETING AFTER 5 YEARS OF LT4 TREATMENT. Pediatr Res 24, 521 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198810000-00049
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198810000-00049