Elvira De Martino

Is the anteroposterior and transverse diameter ratio of nonpalpable thyroid nodules a sonographic criteria for recommending fine‐needle aspiration cytology?

Background  As a consequence of the increasing application of ultrasound (US) technology, the detection of asymptomatic nonpalpable thyroid nodules has generally increased. The aim of our study was to assess if the anteroposterior and transverse diameter ratio of nonpalpable thyroid nodules (A/T) ≥ 1 could be a sonographic criterion for recommending fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).

TSH-Lowering Effect of Metformin in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Differences between euthyroid, untreated hypothyroid, and euthyroid on L-T4 therapy patients

OBJECTIVE To assess the interplay between metformin treatment and thyroid function in type 2 diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The acute and long-term effects of metformin on thyroid axis hormones were assessed in diabetic patients with primary hypothyroidism who were either untreated or treated with levothyroxine (L-T4), as well as in diabetic patients with normal thyroid function. RESULTS No acute changes were found in 11 patients with treated hypothyroidism. After 1 year of metformin administration, a significant thyrotropin (TSH) decrease (P < 0.001) was observed in diabetic subjects with hypothyroidism who were either treated (n = 29; from 2.37 ± 1.17 to 1.41 ± 1.21 mIU/l) or untreated (n = 18; 4.5 ± 0.37 vs. 2.93 ± 1.48) with L-T4, but not in 54 euthyroid subjects. No significant change in free T4 (FT4) was observed in any group. CONCLUSIONS Metformin administration influences TSH without change of FT4 in patients with type 2 diabetes and concomitant hypothyroidism. The need for reevaluation of thyroid function in these patients within 6–12 months after starting metformin is indicated.

Reduced thyroid volume and nodularity in dyslipidaemic patients on statin treatment

Background  Little information is available concerning the possible antiproliferative effects of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) on the thyroid gland. We have hypothesized that the antiproliferative effects of statins observed in thyroid cell lines in vitro may have a clinical counterpart that could be detected by investigating the prevalence and size of thyroid nodules in patients on long‐term treatment with statins.

Thyroglobulin measurement in fine-needle aspiration biopsy of metastatic lymph nodes after rhTSH stimulation

Thyroglobulin measurement in the washout of the needle used in fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has been proposed for the early detection of lymph node metastasis both in patients with or without serum thyroglobulin antibodies; however, up to now, there have been no reports that recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) stimulation modifies thyroglobulin measurement in lymph node aspirates.