The effects of fine-needle biopsy on thyroid hormone levels.

Abstract

Our study aim was to investigate the effects of fine-needle biopsy used for thyroid nodules on serum thyroid hormone levels. A total of 25 patients who had solid nodules of the thyroid gland and normal thyroid hormone levels underwent diagnostic fine-needle biopsy for a nodule of the thyroid gland. Venous blood samples were drawn from the cases for measurement of serum total T(3) and T(4), free T(3) and T(4), thyroid-stimulating hormone, and thyroglobulin levels before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after the initial biopsy. Total T(3) and thyroglobulin levels were found to be significantly higher immediately and 30 minutes following fine-needle aspiration biopsy, compared to the baseline levels (P<0.05). Preliminary data suggest that thyroid hormone levels show a mean increase of about 20% immediately after fine-needle aspiration. The implication of this finding on patient care should be determined on an individual basis.