The Effect of Thyroxine-Suppressive Therapy in Patients With Euthyroid Nodular Disease: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of L-thyroxin therapy on euthyroid nodular disease. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated by ultrasonography in 62 patients with benign euthyroid nodular goiter. Patients have been subdivided in 2 groups. About 35 patients were treated for 1 year with suppressive doses of thyroxine (study group) and 27 were followed without therapy. After L-thyroxin suppressive treatment, no significant difference was observed in both right and left thyroid lobe volume and dominant nodule volume. Only left thyroid volume significantly increased in control group. In our study, there was no significant effect on nodule volume with L-thyroxin treatment. Only left thyroid volume significantly increased in control (without treatment) group. Thus, the potential risks of long-term L-thyroxine therapy outweigh the potential benefits for most patients.