Clinical Thyroidology for the Public summarizes selected research studies discussed in the previous month’s issue of Clinical Thyroidology, an official publication of the American Thyroid Association. Editor-in-chief, Alan Farwell, MD, FACE
Volume 18 Issue 11
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Clinical Thyroidology for the Public Volume 18 Issue 11 (PDF file, 2.71 MB)
TABLE OF CONTENTS – Web Format
GRAVES’ DISEASE
Does the final dose before stopping methimazole affect remission in Graves’ disease?
The goal with antithyroid drug therapy is to have the Graves’ disease go into remission. Some recent studies suggest that longer treatment with methimazole may be associated with longer-term remission, but it has been unclear whether the dose of methimazole at the time of stopping affects relapse risk. The goal of this study was to determine if the final dose of methimazole before stopping had any effect on the rate of remission of Graves’ disease.
Miyamura K et al. Impact of minimal dose strategy before anti-thyroid drug discontinuation on relapse risk in Graves’ disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Epub 2025 Aug 1:dgaf433. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaf433. PMID: 40746193.
GRAVES’ DISEASE
Do statins affect the onset of thyroid eye disease in patients with Graves’ disease?
Thyroid eye disease (TED) develops in 25 to 40% of patients with Graves’ disease, particularly during the first 1 to 2 years following the onset of hyperthyroidism. Statins are widely prescribed drugs that lower cholesterol that also have anti-inflammatory effects and may be able to interfere with the immune response. This study aimed to determine whether starting statins early or whether the start is delayed affects the risk of developing TED in a large nationwide group.
Chou YT et al. Early statin use following diagnosis of Graves’ disease is associated with a reduced risk of moderate-to-severe Graves’ orbitopathy in middle-aged adults: evidence from a nationwide Taiwanese cohort. Thyroid. 2025;35(9):1052-1062;
HYPERTHYROIDISM
Do patients need to have normal thyroid hormone levels before undergoing surgery for hyperthyroidism?
Ideally, patients with hyperthyroidism should have normal thyroid hormone levels before surgery to minimize risk of surgical complications and worsening of hyperthyroidism due to manipulation of the thyroid gland during surgery. However, in cases of severe hyperthyroidism needing urgent surgery or in cases where patients cannot take antithyroid medications due to allergy or side effects, surgery may need to be done when thyroid hormone levels are still high. The authors of this study evaluated the currently available studies comparing potential differences in surgical complications in patients with hyperthyroidism who had normal thyroid levels and those who still had high thyroid levels before thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism.
Lincango EP et al Safety of surgery for managing hyperthyroidism in patients with or without preoperative euthyroidism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Endocrine. Epub 2025 Jul 14; doi: 10.1007/s12020-025-04340-6. PMID: 40658187.
THYROID CANCER
Less thyroid hormone suppression may be safe for most people with thyroid cancer
Years ago, most thyroid cancer patients were treated with thyroid hormone suppression after surgery. Keeping TSH levels low may help prevent the cancer from coming back, but too much thyroid hormone can cause heart problems, bone loss, and other side effects. This study looked at whether stricter TSH suppression really lowers the chance of thyroid cancer coming back.
Cho YY et al. TSH cut-offs and recurrence risk in differentiated thyroid carcinomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2025. Epub 2025 Aug 14:dgaf463; doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaf463. PMID: 40811629.
THYROID AND PREGNANCY
Does hypothyroidism in the mother during pregnancy affect the baby’s growth?
Undiagnosed or under-treated hypothyroidism in the mother during pregnancy has been associated with impaired growth of the baby. Placental weight is a marker of placental function and is positively correlated with birth weight. This study was done to identify the relationship between hypothyroidism in the mother, birth weight and placental function, using placental weight as a marker of placental function.
Lundgaard MH et al. Birth weight and placental weight in children born to mothers with hypothyroidism. Eur Thyroid J 2025;14(4):e250111; doi: 10.1530/ETJ-25-0111. PMID: 40570047.
THYROID NODULES
Are all thyroid ultrasounds necessary?
A thyroid ultrasound is often the test ordered that identifies a suspicious thyroid nodule, which eventually leads to a thyroid cancer diagnosis. However, inappropriate thyroid ultrasounds, meaning those ordered without a valid reason, can lead to unnecessary biopsies and surgeries. The current study evaluates the frequency of and factors associated with, as well as the overall impact of, inappropriate thyroid ultrasounds.
Larios F, et al. Factors and outcomes of inappropriate thyroid ultrasonography. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2025;151(9):843-852
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