Late onset hypothyroidism after subtotal thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism: implications for long term follow-up.

A follow-up register has been used in Aberdeen and Dundee to record early and late onset hypothyroidism occurring in a large population of post-thyroidectomy patients treated for hyperthyroidism. In one centre, in a total of 1170 patients, the prevalence of postoperative hypothyroidism, at the time of entry to the register, was 41 per cent. Of these early cases of hypothyroidism 93 per cent occurred within 18 months of operation. Results are presented from a 12-year prospective study of patients treated in two centres, who were euthyroid when entered on the follow-up register. In one centre, based on 683 patients, the 10-year incidence of late onset hypothyroidism estimated by actuarial methods was 7.4 per cent (95 per cent confidence limits, 3.8-11.1); in the other centre with 156 patients the 5-year incidence was 10.8 per cent (95 per cent confidence limits, 3-18.6). The minimum predicted annual incidence is 1 per cent. Large thyroid remnants do not protect some patients against early or late postoperative hypothyroidism but do lead to an increased risk of recurrent hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism after subtotal thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism shows a bimodal pattern and this study emphasizes the need to maintain life-long follow-up.