Comparison of Administration of Recombinant Human Thyrotropin with Withdrawal of Thyroid Hormone for Radioactive Iodine Scanning in Patients with Thyroid Carcinoma

Abstract

To detect recurrent disease in patients who have had differentiated thyroid cancer, periodic withdrawal of thyroid hormone therapy may be required to raise serum thyrotropin concentrations to stimulate thyroid tissue so that radioiodine (iodine-131) scanning can be performed. However, withdrawal of thyroid hormone therapy causes hypothyroidism. Administration of recombinant human thyrotropin stimulates thyroid tissue without requiring the discontinuation of thyroid hormone therapy.