scholarly journals Early thyroxine treatment in Down syndrome and thyroid function later in life

2017 ◽  
Vol 176 (5) ◽  
pp. 505-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitash Zwaveling-Soonawala ◽  
M Emma Witteveen ◽  
Jan Pieter Marchal ◽  
Femke C C Klouwer ◽  
Nadine A Ikelaar ◽  
...  

Objective The hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis set point develops during the fetal period and first two years of life. We hypothesized that thyroxine treatment during these first two years, in the context of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in children with Down syndrome, may have influenced the HPT axis set point and may also have influenced the development of Down syndrome-associated autoimmune thyroiditis. Methods We included 123 children with Down syndrome 8.7 years after the end of an RCT comparing thyroxine treatment vs placebo and performed thyroid function tests and thyroid ultrasound. We analyzed TSH and FT4 concentrations in the subgroup of 71 children who were currently not on thyroid medication and had no evidence of autoimmune thyroiditis. Results TSH concentrations did not differ, but FT4 was significantly higher in the thyroxine-treated group than that in the placebo group (14.1 vs 13.0 pmol/L; P = 0.02). There was an increase in anti-TPO positivity, from 1% at age 12 months to 6% at age 24 months and 25% at age 10.7 years with a greater percentage of children with anti-TPO positivity in the placebo group (32%) compared with the thyroxine-treated group (18.5%) (P = 0.12). Thyroid volume at age 10.7 years (mean: 3.4 mL; range: 0.5–7.5 mL) was significantly lower (P < 0.01) compared with reference values (5.5 mL; range: 3–9 mL) and was similar in the thyroxine and placebo group. Conclusion Thyroxine treatment during the first two years of life led to a mild increase in FT4 almost 9 years later on and may point to an interesting new mechanism influencing the maturing HPT axis set point. Furthermore, there was a trend toward less development of thyroid autoimmunity in the thyroxine treatment group, suggesting a protective effect of the early thyroxine treatment. Lastly, thyroid volume was low possibly reflecting Down-specific thyroid hypoplasia.

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomomi Niegawa ◽  
Kimitaka Takitani ◽  
Ryuzo Takaya ◽  
Manabu Ishiro ◽  
Yuichi Kuroyanagi ◽  
...  

1998 ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
W Reinhardt ◽  
M Luster ◽  
KH Rudorff ◽  
C Heckmann ◽  
S Petrasch ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have suggested that iodine may influence thyroid hormone status, and perhaps antibody production, in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. To date, studies have been carried out using large amounts of iodine. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of small doses of iodine on thyroid function and thyroid antibody levels in euthyroid patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis who were living in an area of mild dietary iodine deficiency. METHODS: Forty patients who tested positive for anti-thyroid (TPO) antibodies or with a moderate to severe hypoechogenic pattern on ultrasound received 250 microg potassium iodide daily for 4 months (range 2-13 months). An additional 43 patients positive for TPO antibodies or with hypoechogenicity on ultrasound served as a control group. All patients were TBII negative. RESULTS: Seven patients in the iodine-treated group developed subclinical hypothyroidism and one patient became hypothyroid. Three of the seven who were subclinically hypothyroid became euthyroid again when iodine treatment was stopped. One patient developed hyperthyroidism with a concomitant increase in TBII titre to 17 U/l, but after iodine withdrawal this patient became euthyroid again. Only one patient in the control group developed subclinical hypothyroidism during the same time period. All nine patients who developed thyroid dysfunction had reduced echogenicity on ultrasound. Four of the eight patients who developed subclinical hypothyroidism had TSH concentrations greater than 3 mU/l. In 32 patients in the iodine-treated group and 42 in the control group, no significant changes in thyroid function, antibody titres or thyroid volume were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Small amounts of supplementary iodine (250 microg) cause slight but significant changes in thyroid hormone function in predisposed individuals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 386-390
Author(s):  
Beata Zelazowska-Rutkowska ◽  
Anna Jakubiuk-Tomaszuk ◽  
Bogdan Cylwik

Background: Patients with subclinical thyroid disease have few or no clinical symptoms of thyroid dysfunction and thus, laboratory diagnosis is needed. In this context, the objective of the current study was to analyze the prevalence rate and pattern of thyroid function in children with Down syndrome in the Polish population. Methods: A total of 30 children, aged 6–12 years, with cytogenetically confirmed Down syndrome were studied. The control group included 27 children. Results: Of the 30 patients with Down syndrome, 14 (46.7%) had abnormal thyroid profiles. Mean thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and fT4 concentrations in children with Down syndrome were found to be significantly increased compared with the controls (4.30 ± 1.9 µIU/mL, 95% CI: 3.55–5.04 µIU/mL vs. 3.10 ± 1.47 µIU/mL, 95% CI: 2.52–3.68 µIU/mL, P = 0.013, 95% CI: 0.26–2.14, and 1.33 ± 0.23 ng/dL, 95% CI: 1.25–1.42 vs. 1.19 ± 0.14 ng/dL, 95% CI: 1.13–1.25, P = 0.008, 95% CI: 0.04–0.24, respectively). In Down syndrome, subclinical hypothyroidism was recognized in 10 children (33.3%) (high TSH and normal fT4 and fT3 levels). Two children (6.67%) had evident hypothyroidism (high TSH and low fT4). In the control group, subclinical hypothyroidism was diagnosed in four (14.8%) children. Conclusion: Children with Down syndrome may have increased secretion of TSH, even when thyroid hormone and autoantibodies are normal, suggesting that an isolated increase in TSH does not predispose the patient to the development of thyroid disease. We also recommend that all patients with Down syndrome should be screened for thyroid dysgenesis, since they have thyroid dysfunction more frequently as compared to the general healthy population.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia Neder Kalil Mangabeira ◽  
Rafael Kalil Mangabeira ◽  
Luis Jesuino de Oliveira Andrade

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) present increased risk for thyroid dysfunction, especially hypothyroidism, due in increased expression of the DYRK1A gene. Objective: The aim of this study was to make a morphological functional thyroid assessment in individuals with DS. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, consisting of 29 individuals with DS, with a mean age of 12,3 (0.66 / 36.00) years, 16 women (55.2%) and 13 men (44.8%), with a morphological/functional thyroid assessment being made comprising hormonal dose (Free T4, TSH), antithyroid antibody (TPOAb and TgAb) and ultrasonography of the thyroid. Results: Twenty-three (79.3%) individuals presented normal thyroid function while 6 (20.7%) presented with thyroid dysfunction, 4 with hypothyroidism and 2 with hyperthyroidism. Autoimmune thyroiditis and goiter were present in 27.6% of the individuals. Conclusion: Thyroid function should be assessed periodically in individuals with DS, in view of the high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction, especially autoimmune thyroiditis with consequent hypothyroidism. Key Words: Down Syndrome, thyroid, ultrasonography, thyroid dysfunction.


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 202-10
Author(s):  
Annang Giri Moelyo ◽  
Indah Suci Widyahening ◽  
Bambang Tridjaja

Background Autoimmune thyroiditis may manifest as overt hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, euthyroidism, or hyperthyroidism in children. Although there is no consensus on treating euthyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis in children, some studies have demonstrated the efficacy of levothyroxine in reducing thyroid volume, improving thyroid function, and stabilizing the immunological process. Objective To determine the effect of levothyroxine on thyroid gland volume changes, thyroid function, and thyroid antibodies in euthyroid children with autoimmune thyroiditis. Methods We performed a literature search of electronic databases (the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EBSCO, ProQuest, clinicaltrials.gov, and other sources, as well as a non-electronic search (searching journals and conference proceedings by hand) to identify studies of euthyroid children with autoimmune thyroiditis published by August 2018. Only English-language articles were included in the search (electronic and non-electronic). Randomized controlled trials that compared levothyroxine with a control (placebo or no treatment) in euthyroid children with autoimmune thyroiditis were selected. The outcome measures were thyroid volume changes, thyroid function, and thyroid antibody levels in euthyroid children with autoimmune thyroiditis. Two authors independently extracted the data, assessed the risk of bias, and analyzed the pooled data from the included studies using a random effects model. The same authors performed a sensitivity analysis. Results We identified 57 studies. Of these, three studies, involving 97 subjects (51 subjects in an intervention group and 46 subjects in the control group) were selected for inclusion in a systematic review/meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in mean thyroid volume changes between the two groups (-1.10 SDs; 95%CI -1.56 to -0.64; P<0.0001; I2=6%). The mean difference in the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) change of the two groups was -1.82 mU/L (95%CI -3.52 to -0.11; I2=87%; P=0.04). The standardized mean difference in free thyroxine (fT4) change of the two groups was 0.82 pmol/L (95%CI -1.14 to 2.78; I2=89%; P=0.41). Conclusion In euthyroid children with autoimmune thyroiditis, levothyroxine treatment reduces the thyroid volume better. The TSH level change in the intervention group is better than those in the control group. Levothyroxine treatment did not significantly improve free T4.


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