Alterations in Blood Thyroid Hormone Levels on Palpation of Thyroid Gland

Abstract

Introduction: Manipulation of the thyroid gland leads to alteration of thyroid hormones levels. As palpation is the commonest form of manipulation during clinical examination of thyroid gland, its effect has been studied here. Objective: As various factors influence the serum thyroid hormone levels, our aim was to find out whether palpation of thyroid gland during clinical examination altered its levels or not. Methods: The blood samples of 89 (85 females ;4 males) patients were collected twice after a gap of 120 minutes following palpation of the gland in the test group and without palpation in the comparison group by the same examiner and at fixed hours to estimate Free Thyroxine (FT4), Free Triiodothyronine (FT3) and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels. Results: Serum FT4 level decreased significantly (p<0.05) 2 hours after palpation only in euthyroid patients but hypothyroid or hyperthyroid patients had no significant (p>0.05) change in the serum thyroid hormone levels. Conclusion: There is statistically significant fall in serum FT4 levels 2 hours after palpation of thyroid gland among euthyroid subjects which is very small to alter the clinical picture.