Potential risks of the adverse effects of thyrotropin suppression in differentiated thyroid carcinoma]

In patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, long-term inhibition of TSH secretion by levothyroxine administration is required when there is evidence of persistent or recurrent disease. In such cases, levothyroxine doses should be monitored to achieve the goals of TSH inhibition and avoidance of clinical hyperthyroidism. The possibility that TSH-suppressive therapy may cause adverse effects continues to be controversial, especially for elderly patients. Many studies on the potential harmful effects of suppressive treatment on various organs or systems have been conducted with discordant results. There is however no scientific evidence to suggest that the clinical impact of these effects is significant.