Patient Discomfort in Relation to Thyroid Nodule Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) Performed with or without Parenteral and/or Topical Anesthetic.

OBJECTIVE: There is much reported variation in the impact of local anesthesia on thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) related discomfort. We compare patients undergoing thyroid FNA with subcutaneous injection or topical anesthetic to no anesthetic. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 585 sequential ultrasound guided thyroid FNA procedures in Mayo Clinic. Group 1 (n = 200), no anesthetic; Group 2 (n = 185), subcutaneous injection anesthetic; and Group 3 (n = 200), topical anesthetic. Patient demographics, number of FNA passes, needle gauge, and cytopathology were recorded plus a discomfort score (0 to 10) before and immediately post procedure in all 3 groups and peak discomfort during the FNA in Groups 1 and 2. RESULTS: There were no differences among the 3 groups in age, sex, FNA sufficiency rate, cytopathology, and FNA passes number. There was no significant difference between Groups 1 and 2 in peak discomfort score during the FNA: 0 (45%, 42.2%), 1 to 2 (19%, 24.9%), 3 to 5 (23.5%, 20.5%), 6 to 8 (9.5%, 10.8%), 9 to 10 (3%, 1.6%), respectively. Discomfort score post procedure: 0 (78.5%, 77.8%, 53.5%), 1 to 2 (13%, 13%, 36.5%), 3 to 5 (7%, 7%, 9%), 6 to 8 (1.5%, 2.2%, 1%), 9 to 10 (0%, 0%, 0%) for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There were no significant differences among the 3 groups for a discomfort score ≥3. CONCLUSION: FNA associated patient discomfort was comparable during and after the procedure regardless of the use of anesthetic or the type utilized. Approximately 90% of patients experienced mild to moderate discomfort during the procedure. And 90% reported no more than a level 2 discomfort post procedure. ABBREVIATIONS: End = endocrinology; FNA = fine-needle aspiration; MCF = Mayo Clinic Florida; MCR = Mayo Clinic Rochester.

Controversies, Consensus, and Collaboration in the Use of 131I Therapy in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Joint Statement from the American Thyroid Association, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and the European Thyroid Association.

BACKGROUND: Publication of the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) management guidelines for adult patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer was met with disagreement by the extended nuclear medicine community with regard to some of the recommendations related to the diagnostic and therapeutic use of radioiodine (131I). Because of these concerns, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging declined to endorse the ATA guidelines. As a result of these differences in opinion, patients and clinicians risk receiving conflicting advice with regard to several key thyroid cancer management issues. SUMMARY: To address some of the differences in opinion and controversies associated with the therapeutic uses of 131I in differentiated thyroid cancer constructively, the ATA, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and the European Thyroid Association each sent senior leadership and subject-matter experts to a two-day interactive meeting. The goals of this first meeting were to (i) formalize the dialogue and activities between the four societies; (ii) discuss indications for 131I adjuvant treatment; (iii) define the optimal prescribed activity of 131I for adjuvant treatment; and (iv) clarify the definition and classification of 131I-refractory thyroid cancer. CONCLUSION: By fostering an open, productive, and evidence-based discussion, the Martinique meeting restored trust, confidence, and a sense of collegiality between individuals and organizations that are committed to optimal thyroid disease management. The result of this first meeting is a set of nine principles (The Martinique Principles) that (i) describe a commitment to proactive, purposeful, and inclusive interdisciplinary cooperation; (ii) define the goals of 131I therapy as remnant ablation, adjuvant treatment, or treatment of known disease; (iii) describe the importance of evaluating postoperative disease status and multiple other factors beyond clinicopathologic staging in 131I therapy decision making; (iv) recognize that the optimal administered activity of 131I adjuvant treatment cannot be definitely determined from the published literature; and (v) acknowledge that current definitions of 131I-refractory disease are suboptimal and do not represent definitive criteria to mandate whether 131I therapy should be recommended.

Over-the-Counter "Adrenal Support" Supplements Contain Thyroid and Steroid-Based Adrenal Hormones.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether dietary supplements that are herbal and/or animal-derived products, marketed for enhancing metabolism or promoting energy, "adrenal fatigue," or "adrenal support," contain thyroid or steroid hormones. METHODS: Twelve dietary adrenal support supplements were purchased. Pregnenolone, androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, synthetic glucocorticoids (betamethasone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone, megestrol acetate, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, budesonide, and triamcinolone acetonide) levels were measured twice in samples in a blinded fashion. This study was conducted between February 1, 2016, and November 1, 2016. RESULTS: Among steroids, pregnenolone was the most common hormone in the samples. Budesonide, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, cortisol, and cortisone were the others in order of prevalence. All the supplements revealed a detectable amount of triiodothyronine (T3) (63-394.9 ng/tablet), 42% contained pregnenolone (66.12-205.2 ng/tablet), 25% contained budesonide (119.5-610 ng/tablet), 17% contained androstenedione (1.27-7.25 ng/tablet), 8% contained 17-OH progesterone (30.09 ng/tablet), 8% contained cortisone (79.66 ng/tablet), and 8% contained cortisol (138.5 ng/tablet). Per label recommended doses daily exposure was up to 1322 ng for T3, 1231.2 ng for pregnenolone, 1276.4 ng for budesonide, 29 ng for androstenedione, 60.18 ng for 17-OH progesterone, 277 ng for cortisol, and 159.32 ng for cortisone. CONCLUSION: All the supplements studied contained a small amount of thyroid hormone and most contained at least 1 steroid hormone. This is the first study that measured thyroid and steroid hormones in over-the-counter dietary "adrenal support" supplements in the United States. These results may highlight potential risks of hidden ingredients in unregulated supplements.

Thyroxine and triiodothyronine content in commercially available thyroid health supplements.

BACKGROUND: As defined by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act 1997, such substances as herbs and dietary supplements fall under general Food and Drug Administration supervision but have not been closely regulated to date. We examined the thyroid hormone content in readily available dietary health supplements marketed for "thyroid support." METHODS: Ten commercially available thyroid dietary supplements were purchased. Thyroid supplements were dissolved in 10 mL of acetonitrile and water with 0.1% trifloroacetic acid and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography for the presence of both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) using levothyroxine and liothyronine as a positive controls and standards. RESULTS: The amount of T4 and T3 was measured separately for each supplement sample. Nine out of 10 supplements revealed a detectable amount of T3 (1.3-25.4 µg/tablet) and 5 of 10 contained T4 (5.77-22.9 µg/tablet). Taken at the recommended dose, 5 supplements delivered T3 quantities of greater than 10 µg/day, and 4 delivered T4 quantities ranging from 8.57 to 91.6 µg/day. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of dietary thyroid supplements studied contained clinically relevant amounts of T4 and T3, some of which exceeded common treatment doses for hypothyroidism. These amounts of thyroid hormone, found in easily accessible dietary supplements, potentially expose patients to the risk of alterations in thyroid levels even to the point of developing iatrogenic thyrotoxicosis. The current study results emphasize the importance of patient and provider education regarding the use of dietary supplements and highlight the need for greater regulation of these products, which hold potential danger to public health.