The hypothalamo-hypophyseal system in patients with multinodular colloid euthyroid goiter

Eighty patients with multinodular colloidal euthyroid goiter were examined. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test was carried out in 22 patients and 7 healthy women. The results of the test indicate a clear-cut tendency to reduction of hypophyseal TTH reserve in patients with multinodular euthyroid goiter with enlarged thyroid. In other words, clinical diagnosis of an euthyroid condition in the examinees appears to be groundless, particularly in patients with stage IV multinodular euthyroid goiter who may be referred to latent hyperthyrosis group on the basis of TRH test results. Three types of STH reaction were revealed by TRH test in these patients. The authors put forward a hypothesis on STH contribution as a growth factor to the pathogenesis of multinodular colloid euthyroid goiter.