Use of thyroid hormones in hypothyroid and euthyroid patients: a 2020 THESIS questionnaire survey of members of the Hellenic Endocrine Society.

PURPOSE: To investigate current practices of specialists in the use of thyroid hormone preparations in Greece as part of an ongoing international survey, namely THESIS-Treatment of Hypothyroidism in Europe by Specialists: an International Survey. METHODS: An electronic link leading to an anonymized questionnaire was sent to all (n = 837) members of the Hellenic Endocrine Society. RESULTS: In total, 501 respondents participated in the survey, though only part of the questionnaire was filled in by some participants. A total of 88.2% were endocrinologists and 57.9% worked in private practice. Levothyroxine (LT4) was the first-line choice (98.6%) for the treatment of hypothyroid patients. In total, 70.2% preferred LT4 soft-gel capsules for patients reporting intolerance to various foods. Soft-gel capsules were the preferred LT4 formulation for patients on generic LT4 and with unexplained poor biochemical control of hypothyroidism (66.3%) or inability to take LT4 fasted and separate from food/drink (68.3%). It was found that 48.4% would never use combined LT4 + LT3. However, 25% would use combination therapy for a short period in patients recovering from protracted hypothyroidism or in patients with normal serum TSH but persistent symptoms. Concerning euthyroid individuals, 31.9% considered treatment with thyroid hormones in infertile females with positive thyroid antibodies and 24.4% in patients with growing goiter. Selenium or iodine supplementation was used occasionally, mostly in patients with coexisting autoimmune thyroiditis. CONCLUSIONS: LT4 tablets are the treatment of choice for hypothyroidism in Greece. Several conditions may lead to various other practices, some of which deviate from current evidence-based guidelines and need more scrutiny.

Image-guided thermal ablation in autonomously functioning thyroid nodules. A retrospective multicenter three-year follow-up study from the Italian Minimally Invasive Treatment of the Thyroid (MITT) Group.

OBJECTIVES: To report the results of a multicenter retrospective evaluation of the clinical outcomes of thermal ablation (TA) in a large series of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) with a follow-up protracted up to 3 years. METHODS: Patients treated with single TA for an AFTN in Italy were included. Changes in nodule volume, TSH values, and ongoing anti-thyroid therapy were assessed at the 2-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-up controls. Complications and need of any additional therapy after TA were also registered. RESULTS: A total of 361 patients (244 females, 117 males, median age 58 years, IQR 46-70 years) were included. Nodule volume was significantly reduced at all time points (p < 0.001) (median volume reduction 58% at 6-month and 60% at 12-month). Serum TSH values increased significantly at all time points. After TA, anti-thyroid therapy was withdrawn in 32.5% of patients at 2 months, in 38.9% at 6 months, and in 41.3% at 12 months. A significant difference in the rate of patients who withdrawn medical therapy at 12 months was registered between small (< 10 mL) (74%), medium (49%), or large (> 30 mL) nodules (19%). A single major complication occurred (0.25%). Additional treatments were needed in 34/361 (9.4%) of cases including 4 (1.1%) surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Image-guided thermal ablation offers a further safe and effective therapeutic option in patients with AFTN. Clinical outcomes are significantly more favorable in small than in large size AFTN. KEY POINTS: • Thermal ablations (TA) can be safely and effectively used in patients with autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN). • TA results in a clinically significant nodule volume reduction that is paralleled by TSH level normalization and anti-thyroid drug therapy discontinuation (after TA anti-thyroid therapy was withdrawn in 41.3% at 12 months). • Clinical outcomes after TA are more favorable in small nodules, and when a large amount of thyroid nodule tissue is ablated.

Use of thyroid hormones in hypothyroid and euthyroid patients: a THESIS* questionnaire survey of Polish physicians. *THESIS: Treatment of hypothyroidism in Europe by specialists: an international survey.

INTRODUCTION: Over the past several years new evidence on the management of hypothyroidism has emerged, which has influenced recommendations from professional bodies. The presentation of hypothyroid patients has also changed, and new cases are increasingly diagnosed by indiscriminate screening, often identifying cases with minor biochemical disturbances. Little is known about the physician responses and attitudes to this changing landscape. THESIS (Treatment of Hypothyroidism in Europe by Specialists: an International Survey) is a large-scale survey of European physicians who treat patients with hypothyroidism. Here we document current practices of Polish physicians relating to the use of thyroid hormones in hypothyroid and euthyroid patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Members of the Polish Society of Endocrinology were invited to participate in the web-based THESIS survey. RESULTS: In total 423 (54.6% of the 774 invited) physicians completed the survey. The majority of respondents (74.2%) would prescribe thyroid hormones foreuthyroid patients for certain indications, such as female infertility with elevated thyroid antibodies (63.4%), simple goitre (40.9%), unexplained fatigue (12.1%), obesity (9.7%), hypercholesterolaemia (9.0%), and depression (9.2%). Nearly all physicians (96.0%) declared that the treatment of choice for hypothyroidism is levothyroxine (LT4). However, around one-third (30.3%) were also using LT4 and liothyronine (LT3) combination treatment; LT3 alone was rarely prescribed (1.7%), and none prescribed desiccated thyroid extract. The majority of respondents preferred LT4 tablets. Among alternative formulations, liquid LT4 was most commonly recommended for patients unable to take LT4 in the fasting state (26.0%) and patients with malabsorption (19.9%). Respondents considered prescribing dietary supplements (such as selenium and iodine) in hypothyroid patients with coexisting autoimmune thyroiditis (29.6%) or at the patients' request (32.2%). LT4 + LT3 combination therapy was used by 32.2% when symptoms persisted notwithstanding normal serum TSH concentration. Psychosocial factors, comorbidities, and the burden of chronic disease were considered as the most likely causes of persistent symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Apart from clinical practice recommendations, other factors influence the thyroid hormone therapy patterns. Moreover, certain areas of clinical practice were identified (the use of thyroid hormones in euthyroid subjects and the use of dietary supplements), which are not in accordance with the current evidence.

Role of laser ablation in multimodal treatment of radioiodine- refractory bone metastases of thyroid cancer: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy, safety, and pain benefits of imaging-guided laser ablation (IGLA) in patients with radioiodine-refractory (RR) bone metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The institutional medical records of patients with bone metastases from DTC treated with laser ablation (LA) were reviewed retrospectively. Local response, complications, and effects on pain relief were investigated. RESULTS: Six osteolytic lesions in five patients (one male, four females; mean age 65.4 ± 5.1 years, range 58-72) were treated with IGLA. All lesions were osteolytic and all have had previous treatments with high-dose radioiodine therapy followed by external radiotherapy (EBRT). All patients assumed opioid analgesics for severe pain. Overall, the lesions (mean size 5.8 ± 3.2 cm; median 5.0 cm, range 3.0-12.0 cm) underwent nine IGLA sessions (mean 1.8 ± 0.4 sessions; median 2.0 sessions, range 1-2). In four (80%) out five lesions, cross-sectional imaging showed a nearly complete response (CR) while the largest lesion was ablated by 80%. Pain changes were assessed with the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form, that was administered before IGLA and during a 6-month follow-up. Patients experienced significant reduction in worst pain, average pain, and pain interference. Following IGLA, the average daily opioid requirement rapidly and progressively decreased. Treatments were well-tolerated and no major complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: IGLA is an effective and safe debulking procedure and provides significant pain relief in patients suffering from DTC bone metastases that are not responsive to standard treatments. So, IGLA could be considered as part of a multimodality management of advanced thyroid cancer with RR metastatic skeletal involvement.

A 2018 European Thyroid Association Survey on the Use of Selenium Supplementation in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical practice regarding the use of selenium supplementation in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) among members of the European Thyroid Association (ETA). METHODS: ETA members were invited to participate in an online survey investigating the use of selenium supplementation across the spectrum of benign thyroid diseases. Of 872 invited members, 242 (28%) completed the survey. After exclusion of basic scientists and non-European members, survey data from 212 respondents were eligible for further analyses. Responses from 65 (31%) individuals who did not at all recommend selenium, or only considered its use in the setting of a clinical trial, were not included in the final analysis of survey data from 147 respondents. RESULTS: While only a minority of respondents (29 of 147, 20%) stated that the available evidence warrants the use of Se in patients with HT, a statistically significant majority (95 of 147; 65%, p < 0.001) used Se occasionally or routinely. Se was predominantly recommended for patients with HT not receiving LT4 (102 of 147; 69%) to reduce circulating thyroid autoantibody levels. Very few respondents routinely recommended Se to pregnant patients with HT. CONCLUSIONS: A minority of responding ETA members stated that the available evidence warrants the use of Se in HT, but a majority recommended it to some extent, especially to patients not yet receiving LT4. This is questionable, and selenium is not recommended to patients with HT according to current ETA guidelines. Ongoing and future trials may lead to the reversal of current medical practice.

A 2018 European Thyroid Association Survey on the Use of Selenium Supplementation in Graves' Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Orbitopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Selenium (Se) supplementation has been suggested in the treatment of Graves' disease (GD). We sought to investigate Se prescription patterns for GD across European countries. METHODS: Members of the European Thyroid Association were invited to participate in an online survey investigating the use of Se in GD either without or with orbitopathy (GO). Of 872 invited members, 244 (28%) completed the survey. After exclusion of basic scientists and non-European members, 197 responses were retrieved out of clinical trials (nearly half of clinician members), of whom 61 do not use Se. Thus, 136 respondents remained for further analyses. RESULTS: Among the 136 analyzed respondents, most (64.7%) were not aware of the Se status in their populations, did not assess Se levels (78.7%), nor considered iodine status (74.3%). In GD without GO, 38.2% recommend Se supplementation ("sometimes" [27.2%], "frequently" [5.9%] or "always" [5.1%]). When GO occurs, 94.1% recommend Se supplementation ("sometimes" [39%], "frequently" [30.1%] or "always" [25%]). Of these, 60.1% recommend Se as an alternative to watchful waiting in patients with mild ocular involvement and 44.9% as an adjuvant to the established treatment modalities in patients with moderate to severe ocular involvement. CONCLUSIONS: In Graves' hyperthyroidism without GO, 38.2% of ETA (European Thyroid Association) members recommend Se supplementation. Conversely, Se is recommended by the majority of respondents in GO, both in patients with mild and moderate to severe ocular involvement. This clinical practice is partially in disagreement with current European treatment guidelines that recommend Se as a 6-month treatment in mild GO only.

A 2018 Italian and Romanian Survey on Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: Pregnancy induces changes in thyroid function, and thyroid dysfunction during gestation is associated with adverse outcomes. We examined the management of subclinical hypothyroidism and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis in pregnancy among Italian and Romanian endocrinologists. METHODS: Members of the Associazione Medici Endocrinologi (AME) and Romanian Society of Endocrinology (RSE) were invited to participate in a web-based survey investigating the topic. RESULTS: A total of 902 individuals participated in the survey, 759 of whom completed all sections. Among the respondents, 85.1% were aware of the 2017 American Thyroid Association guidelines about thyroid disease and pregnancy, and 82.9% declared that thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) screening at the beginning of pregnancy should be warranted. In a patient negative for peroxidase antibodies, 53.6% considered 2.5 mIU/L and 26.2% considered 4.0 mIU/L as the upper normal limit of TSH, and 50% would treat a patient with TSH 3.5 mIU/L with levothyroxine. About 20% did not suggest iodine supplementation. Isolated hypothyroxinemia detected in the first trimester would be treated by 40.8%. In patients undergoing ovarian stimulation, a TSH < 2.5 mIU/L would be targeted by 70%. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents globally appeared well informed about the management of thyroid autoimmunity and subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy. A more aggressive attitude in implementing iodine supplementation would be desirable. Most endocrinologists were convinced about an evident association between mild thyroid impairment and adverse outcomes in pregnancy, thus using a TSH value of 2.5 mIU/L as the threshold for diagnosing hypothyroidism and starting levothyroxine in pregnant women.

Italian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AME) and Italian Chapter of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) Position Statement: Clinical Management of Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults.

Vitamin D deficiency is very common and prescriptions of both assay and supplementation are increasing more and more. Health expenditure is exponentially increasing, thus it is timely and appropriate to establish rules. The Italian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists appointed a task force to review literature about vitamin D deficiency in adults. Four topics were identified as worthy for the practicing clinicians. For each topic recommendations based on scientific evidence and clinical practice were issued according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) System. (1) What cut-off defines vitamin D deficiency: even though 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L) can be considered appropriate in the general population, we recommend to maintain levels above 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L) in categories at risk. (2) Whom, when, and how to perform screening for vitamin D deficiency: categories at risk (patients with bone, liver, kidney diseases, obesity, malabsorption, during pregnancy and lactation, some elderly) but not healthy people should be screened by the 25-hydroxy-vitamin D assay. (3) Whom and how to treat vitamin D deficiency: beyond healthy lifestyle (mostly sun exposure), we recommend oral vitamin D (vitamin D2 or vitamin D3) supplementation in patients treated with bone active drugs and in those with demonstrated deficiency. Dosages, molecules and modalities of administration can be profitably individually tailored. (4) How to monitor the efficacy of treatment with vitamin D: no routine monitoring is suggested during vitamin D treatment due to its large therapeutic index. In particular conditions, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D can be assayed after at least a 6-month treatment. We are confident that this document will help practicing clinicians in their daily clinical practice.

A 2016 Italian Survey about the Clinical Use of Selenium in Thyroid Disease.

BACKGROUND: Selenium (Se) is a trace element that plays key roles in thyroid physiology. Se deficiency is associated with increased risk of thyroid disease. Some evidence suggests that Se supplementation may be beneficial in autoimmune thyroid disease (either hypo- or hyperthyroidism). OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine the use of Se in daily clinical practice among Italian endocrinologists. METHODS: Members of the Associazione Medici Endocrinologi (AME) were invited to participate in a web-based survey investigating the use of Se in different clinical conditions. RESULTS: A total of 815 individuals (43.2% of AME members) participated in the survey, 778 of whom completed all of the sections. Among these respondents, 85.2% considered using Se for thyroid disease (58.1% rarely/occasionally and 27.1% often/always), and 79.4% prescribed Se for chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) (39.1% sometimes and 40.3% often/always). About two thirds of the respondents considered Se use in cases of subclinical autoimmune hypothyroidism, and about 40% had suggested Se use for patients with AIT who were planning pregnancy or already pregnant. About one fourth of the respondents had used Se for mild Graves' orbitopathy. Regarding the suggested daily dosage of Se, 60% of the respondents answered 100-200 µg, 20-30% recommended <100 µg, and 10-20% recommended >200 µg. CONCLUSIONS: Se use is widely considered in daily clinical practice. Moreover, Se supplementation is often used or suggested for purposes extending beyond those supported by evidence-based medicine. Ongoing studies will better clarify how Se treatment can be properly utilized in thyroid disease management.

Selenium status in patients with autoimmune and non-autoimmune thyroid diseases from four European countries.

CONTEXT: Selenium supplementation has been suggested for Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves' ophthalmopathy. Objective, Design: Our aim is to measure selenium status (p-Se, p-SePP), urine iodine (UI) levels and urine iodine/creatinine ratio (UI/C) in different thyroid diseases (n = 416) from four European countries and to compare the results between patients with and without thyroid autoimmunity. RESULTS: p-Se and p-SePP showed positive correlation and did not correlate with UI/C. Also, these measurements were higher in patients from Italy in comparison with the other countries. Austria had the lowest UI/C ratios. Selenium deficiency exists in these four European countries. Selenium status was lower in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves' disease in comparison with non-autoimmune thyroid disease patients and did not differ between autoimmune patients with or without thyroid peroxidase antibodies. The latter correlated positively with age. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that Se supplementation might have a beneficial effect in autoimmune thyroid patients.

Ultrasound-guided laser thermal ablation for treatment of benign thyroid nodules.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided laser thermal ablation (LTA) in reducing the volume of hypofunctioning benign thyroid lesions. METHODS: The criteria for entry into the study were as follows: (1) presence of a hypofunctioning thyroid nodule with a volume exceeding 8 mL, (2) benign cytologic findings, (3) local compression symptoms or patient concern, and (4) refusal of or ineligibility for surgical treatment. Twenty patients (15 women and 5 men; mean age, 63.3 +/- 14.1 years) fulfilling the entry criteria were enrolled in the study. Under US monitoring, a 75-mm, 21-gauge spinal needle was inserted into the thyroid gland, and a flat-tipped 300-microm quartz fiberoptic guide was placed through the needle into the tissues. LTA was performed with use of a 1.064-microm continuous-wave neodymium yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser that had an output power of 3 W for 10 minutes. US scans were used to assess the decrease in nodule volume at 1 month and 6 months after LTA. RESULTS: After LTA, mean nodule volume decreased from a baseline value of 24.1 +/- 15.0 mL to 13.3 +/- 7.7 mL at 1 month and to 9.6 +/- 6.6 mL at 6 months. Mean nodule volume reduction in comparison with baseline was 43.8 +/- 8.1% at 1 month and 63.8 +/- 8.9% at 6 months. LTA induced burning cervical pain, which rapidly decreased after the laser energy was turned off. Three patients (15%) required treatment with betamethasone for 48 hours. No patient had local bruising, cutaneous burning, or dysphonia. CONCLUSION: LTA may be an effective procedure for the treatment of benign cold thyroid nodules that cause pressure symptoms in patients who are not candidates for surgical treatment or who refuse to undergo a surgical procedure.