Effects of exogenous insulin on thyroid nodules in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with thyroid nodules

Abstract

Objective \nTo study the effects of exogenous insulin alone or in combination with metformin on thyroid nodules in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with thyroid nodules. \n \n \nMethods \nA total of 37 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with benign thyroid nodules admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to December 2017 were divided into routine group (23 cases) and control group (14 cases). The routine group was treated with exogenous insulin alone, while the control group was treated with exogenous insulin combined with metformin. The changes of thyroid function and thyroid nodules were recorded and compared 6 months after treatment. \n \n \nResults \nBefore treatment, there was no significant difference in general data between the two groups except the age (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid nodule volume, thyroid nodule length, width and height before treatment of the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), TSH, the height of thyroid nodules and the volume of thyroid nodules in routine group were significantly different from those before treatment (P 0.05). \n \n \nConclusions \nAlthough exogenous insulin has a rapid therapeutic effect on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with thyroid nodules, it will increase the levels of HOMA-IR and serum TSH and increase the volume of thyroid nodules. The treatment with metformin combined with insulin not only has a significant therapeutic effect, but also has no adverse effects on the patient’s thyroid function and thyroid volume. \n \n \nKey words: \nType 2 diabetes mellitus;\xa0Thyroid nodules;\xa0Exogenous insulin;\xa0Metformin