Predicting outcomes and complications following radioiodine therapy in Graves' thyrotoxicosis.

OBJECTIVE: Radioiodine (RAI) is an effective treatment for Graves' thyrotoxicosis but is associated with a failure rate of 15% and may be a risk factor for thyroid eye disease (TED) and weight gain. We sought to examine predictors of RAI failure, weight gain, TED and patient satisfaction. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PATIENTS: A total of 655 episodes of RAI in Graves' thyrotoxicosis patients (2006-2015). MEASUREMENTS: Biochemical assessment, including TFTs and thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb), clinical features (eg, TED, weight and thionamide use) and patient questionnaire. RESULTS: The treatment failure rate was 17%. Failure was greater with higher fT4 (P = 0.002) and higher TRAb (P = 0.004). Failure rate was 42.2% when TRAb >40 U/L. Median weight gain was 3.2 kg in those with normal fT4 prior to RAI and 5.8 kg when fT4 was elevated (P < 0.001). New TED developed in 7.6% but was not associated with post-RAI dysthyroidism. Treatment satisfaction was generally high (median response 8/10). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment failure after RAI occurs in predictable groups and this should be reflected in the information provided to patients. Weight gain is common and may not entirely be explained by a return to pre-thyrotoxic baseline. We were unable to detect any significant impact of post-RAI dysthyroidism on weight gain, TED or thyroid symptoms in this large cohort.

Management of pituitary incidentalomas.

Pituitary incidentalomas are common findings with increasing use of modern neuroradiological imaging undertaken for symptoms unrelated to pituitary disease. The prevalence of these lesions is ∼10% in autopsy studies and the incidence varies from 10% to 38% on magnetic resonance imaging in the published literature. They are almost always benign in nature and most are non-functioning (non-secreting) adenomas. Although many individuals are asymptomatic at diagnosis, some with functioning (secreting) pituitary adenomas or larger non-functioning adenomas have symptoms. All identified cases should have a thorough clinical and endocrinological evaluation to help with precise management, which depends on the size of the lesion, hormonal status (functioning versus non-functioning adenoma) and the presence of visual deficits resulting from optic nerve compression by the pituitary adenoma. Here, we provide an overview of the initial assessment and management of pituitary incidentalomas for clinicians not routinely involved in the management of pituitary disease.