Factors involved in the rate of fall of thyroid stimulating hormone in treated hypothyroidism.

The rate of fall of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in 32 hypothyroid infants (11 boys, 21 girls) was studied after starting treatment with thyroxine to determine whether it was influenced by initial TSH concentration or the cause of the hypothyroidism. Of 27 patients who had isotope scans before treatment was started, 11 (40%) were athyrotic, 10 (38%) had an ectopic gland, and six (22%) probably had dyshormonogenesis. Treatment was started with thyroxine at 100 micrograms/m2/24 hours at a mean age of 26 days (range 14-45). Serum TSH concentrations remained increased in 26 (81%) at 3 months, 20 (62.5%) at 6 months, and nine (28%) at 1 year and beyond. The mean age for serum TSH to reach the normal range was 0.79 years (range 0.15-2.1 years). Diagnosis (in 27 patients) and initial results (in 32) made no difference to the rate of fall.