The effect of low-level laser therapy on the oxidative stress level and quality of life in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

This study aimed to examine the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) combined with levothyroxine replacement therapy on thyroid function, oxidative stress (OS), and quality of life in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Forty-six patients diagnosed with HT were randomized to receive active LLLT (n = 23) and sham LLLT (n = 23) twice a week for three weeks. Clinical and laboratory evaluations of the participants were performed before treatment and three months after treatment. Biochemical parameters were taken from the patient file requested by the physician as a routine examination. Malondialdehyde and nitricoxide indicating oxidant stress and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione, which indicate antioxidant capacity, were used in OS evaluation. The Oxidative Stress Index was calculated by measuring the Total Antioxidant Status and the Total Oxidant Status. At the end of our study, a significant improvement in oxidant and antioxidant biomarker levels showing OS and quality of life was observed in the treatment groups (p < 0.05). There was no change in thyroid function and autoimmunity at the end of the treatment between the two groups (p > 0.05). Improvements in glutathione levels and quality of life were significantly higher in the active treatment group than in the sham-controlled group. LLLT was found to be more effective on OS and quality of life in patients with HT than in patients in the sham-controlled group. It was concluded that LLLT is a safe and effective method that can be used in the treatment of patients with HT.

Low-level laser in the treatment of patients with hypothyroidism induced by chronic autoimmune thyroiditis: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT) is the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism, which requires lifelong levothyroxine replacement therapy. Currently, no effective therapy is available for CAT. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients with CAT-induced hypothyroidism by testing thyroid function, thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), and ultrasonographic echogenicity. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a 9-month follow-up was conducted from 2006 to 2009. Forty-three patients with a history of levothyroxine therapy for CAT-induced hypothyroidism were randomly assigned to receive either 10 sessions of LLLT (830 nm, output power of 50 mW, and fluence of 707 J/cm(2); L group, n=23) or 10 sessions of a placebo treatment (P group, n=20). The levothyroxine was suspended 30 days after the LLLT or placebo procedures. Thyroid function was estimated by the levothyroxine dose required to achieve normal concentrations of T3, T4, free-T4 (fT4), and thyrotropin after 9 months of postlevothyroxine withdrawal. Autoimmunity was assessed by measuring the TPOAb and TgAb levels. A quantitative computerized echogenicity analysis was performed pre- and 30 days postintervention. The results showed a significant difference in the mean levothyroxine dose required to treat the hypothyroidism between the L group (38.59 ± 20.22 µg/day) and the P group (106.88 ± 22.90 µg/day, P<0.001). Lower TPOAb (P=0.043) and greater echogenicity (P<0.001) were also noted in the L group. No TgAb difference was observed. These findings suggest that LLLT was effective at improving thyroid function, promoting reduced TPOAb-mediated autoimmunity and increasing thyroid echogenicity in patients with CAT hypothyroidism.

Diffuse sclerosing variant of thyroid carcinoma presenting as Hashimoto thyroiditis: a case report.

The aim of report is to present a case of a rare diffuse sclerosing variant of a papillary thyroid carcinoma. A 15-year old girl referred for ultrasound examination because of painless thyroid swelling lasting 10 days before. An ultrasound of the neck showed diffusely changed thyroid parenchyma, without nodes, looking as lymphocytic thyroiditis Hashimoto at first, but with snow-storm appearance, predominantly in the right lobe. Positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-AT) also suggested Hashimoto thyroiditis. Repeated US-FNAB (fine needle-aspiration biopsy) of the right lobe revealed diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma and patient underwent total thyreoidectomy. Patohistologic finding confirmed diffuse sclerosing variant of a papillary thyroid carcinoma in the both thyroid lobes and several metastatic lymph nodes. Two months later patient recived radioablative therapy with 3700 MBq (100 mCi) of 1-131 followed by levothyroxine replacement. At the moment, patient is without evidence of local or distant metastases and next regular control is scheduled in 6 months. In conclusion, a diffuse sclerosing variant is rare form of papillary thyroid carcinoma that echographically looks similar to Hashimoto thyroiditis and sometimes could be easily overlooked.

Transition of thyroid autoantibodies by rituximab treatment for thyroid MALT lymphoma.

Thyroid MALT lymphoma is an extremely rare malignancy believed to arise against a background of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody directed against B cell specific antigen CD20. Recently, there have been reports that rituximab is effective for autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Graves' disease as well as for treatment of B cell malignant lymphoma. We present the changes in thyroid autoantibodies in Hashimoto's thyroiditis after rituximab administration for 3 cases of thyroid MALT lymphoma. Case 1 had been taking levothyroxine and was diagnosed with thyroid MALT lymphoma. She was treated with rituximab monotherapy, and her thyroid enlargement improved. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) turned negative after rituximab monotherapy, and TSH levels decreased with the same levothyroxine dosage. Case 2 was diagnosed with recurrent thyroid MALT lymphoma after chemotherapy (CHOP). He suffered from leg sensory disturbance because of vincristine sulfate. The patient was treated with rituximab. TPOAb decreased, but did not turn negative. TSH levels were within normal range during the disease course, but TSH levels were low in comparison with before rituximab therapy. Case 3 was diagnosed with thyroid MALT lymphoma after radiation therapy on the neck for laryngeal cancer. Thyroid enlargement improved after rituximab monotherapy, and thyroid autoantibody levels decreased. TSH increased transiently after radiation therapy, but TSH decreased gradually without levothyroxine after rituximab monotherapy. We report 3 cases in which thyroid autoantibody levels in Hashimoto's thyroiditis decreased after rituximab monotherapy for thyroid MALT lymphoma, but it is controversial whether thyroid dysfunction due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis is restored.

Radioactive iodine therapy for goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

CONTEXT: Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that can produce marked clinical symptoms when patients have large diffuse goiters. DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study was designed to evaluate whether radioactive iodine (RAI) is effective for Hashimoto's thyroiditis with a large goiter. Starting in November 1999, 13 Hashimoto's patients with large goiters, whose thyroiditis was refractory to TSH suppression therapy with thyroid hormone administration [two men and 11 women with a mean age of 61.2 +/- 8.9 yr (50-79 yr)], were recruited for the present study. The duration of symptomatic goiter before undergoing RAI was 12.0 +/- 7.9 yr (4-33 yr). Thirteen millicuries of 131I was administered two to six times, at an interval of 1-6 months on an outpatient basis. Thyroid weight was measured ultrasonographically, or by computed tomography if ultrasound was not possible due to the large size of the goiter. RESULTS: RAI was administered an average of 4.7 +/- 1.4 times (two to six times), with a total dose of 59.8 +/- 17.3 mCi (25.0-78.0 mCi). The observation period was 47.9 +/- 13.4 months (26-66 months) after the first RAI. The average weight of the thyroid gland was 125.3 +/- 57.7 g (42.9-269.4 g) before the first RAI, decreasing significantly to 49.7 +/- 25.8 g (18.3-93.3 g) after the last RAI (P < 0.001, paired Student's t test). The percent reduction from baseline was 58.7 +/- 14.2% (35.7-84.0%). None of the patients showed an increase in goiter size or complained of a pressure sensation after any of the RAI treatments. CONCLUSION: RAI is effective in Hashimoto's thyroiditis with a large goiter.