Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2010; 118(9): 630-632
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1237700
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Does Normal Thyroid Gland by Ultrasonography match with Normal Serum Thyroid Hormones and Negative Thyroid Antibodies?

P. Trimboli1 , F. Rossi1 , 3 , E. Condorelli1 , O. Laurenti1 , C. Ventura1 , G. Nigri2 , F. Romanelli3 , M. Guarino4 , S. Valabrega2
  • 1Section of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Ospedale Israelitico, Rome, Italy
  • 2Sapienza University 2nd School of Medicine, Ospedale S. Andrea, Rome, Italy
  • 3Department of Medical Physiopathology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
  • 4Section of Diagnostic Laboratory, Ospedale Israelitico, Rome, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

received 02.04.2009 first decision 10.06.2009

accepted 30.07.2009

Publication Date:
08 December 2009 (online)

Abstract

Few papers have shown that a hypoechoic appearance of the thyroid gland at ultrasonography (US) is related to a hypofunction and serum positivity of thyroid antibodies (T-Ab). However, it is not ascertained if normal thyroid appearance at US correspond to normal thyroid laboratory tests. The aim of this study was to assess the value of normal thyroid at US in predicting normal thyroid hormones and negative T-Ab in a cohort of 48 adult patients. All patients (37 females and 11 males) were referred to our hospital to undergo their first thyroid US examination, followed by a thyroid function evaluation. All subjects had normal thyroid gland at US. As a control group 65 patients with hypoechoic and inhomogeneous thyroid gland were enrolled. All 48 patients had normal free-T3 and free-T4 levels. While 41 patients (85.4%) showed normal TSH, in 7 subjects (14.6%) TSH was elevated and a significant (p<0.001) difference was recorded between the two groups in mean TSH value. Positive T-Ab value was found in 5 patients (10.4%) and the remaining 43 patients (89.6%) had negative T-Ab. TSH was not significantly correlated with age, thyroid volume or BMI. The multivariate model showed that only BMI was significantly correlated to thyroid volume (p<0.01, r2=0.31). These results showed that normal thyroid recorded by US matches with normal thyroid laboratory assessment to a large degree. These preliminary data need to be confirmed in a prospective study and in a larger series and should suggest the evaluation of thyrotropin and thyroid antibodies in subjects with normal thyroid gland as assessed by US.

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Correspondence

Dr. P. Trimboli

Ospedale Israelitico di Roma

Via Fulda, 14

00148 – Rome, Italy

Phone: +39-06-655891

Fax: +39-06-655891

Email: pierpaolo.trimboli@gmail.com