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In patients with newly diagnosed Graves' disease who are started on methimazole therapy, when do you recommend repeating thyroid ultrasounds to monitor incidental thyroid nodules that meet FNA criteria?

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When do you recommend repeating thyroid ultrasounds to monitor incidental nodules meeting FNA criteria in patients with newly diagnosed Graves' disease started on methimazole?

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3 Answers
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Endocrinology · BMCWorking Well Occupational Health Clinic
Answered on

I have an ultrasound in my exam room. My clinical practice is to perform an ultrasound as part of the diagnostic algorithm. I generally do not check TSI since I can make the diagnosis of Graves with the US and also exclude a concomitant nodule that needs biopsy. If you need to refer to Radiology for...

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Endocrinology · University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Answered on

If thyroid nodules are present in hyperthyroidism, the first question is if they are "toxic" nodules. A functional iodine uptake scan will differentiate the cause of the hyperthyroidism. In other words, the patient may have Graves, in which the uptake is diffuse throughout the gland with incidental ...

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Endocrinology · Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Answered on

It would seem prudent to wait until the patient has become euthyroid. Most patients who take their antithyroid medications as advised should be euthyroid in about 3 months or some even sooner. Hence, I picked the three-month option.

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