Efficacy of Thyroid Hormone Combined with 131i Therapy After Surgery for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in Athletic Patients

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of thyroid hormone therapy combined with 131I therapy following surgery for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in athletic patients, focusing on its impact on serum biochemical and endocrine parameters, and overall patient health and recovery. Methods: A cohort of fifty athletic patients diagnosed with DTC and treated at our hospital from January 2019 to June 2020 were selected for this study. They were divided into two groups: the control group (25 patients) received post-surgical thyroid hormone replacement therapy alone, while the treatment group (25 patients) was administered thyroid hormone in conjunction with 131I therapy. Comparative analyses were conducted on serum biochemical markers, endocrine function, T lymphocyte subpopulation levels, adverse reactions, and prognosis between the two groups. Results: In the treatment group, albumin (ALB) levels were significantly higher, while total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were significantly lower post-treatment compared to the control group (P＜0.05). Additionally, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were lower, and free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were higher in the treatment group post-treatment (P＜0.05). T lymphocyte subpopulations, including CD3+ and CD4+ levels, were elevated, and CD8+ levels were reduced in the treatment group compared to the control group after therapy (P＜0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was 12.00% in the treatment group, lower than 16.00% in the control group, though the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The 2-year postoperative rates of recurrence, distant metastasis, and neck lymph node metastasis in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group, indicating a trend towards improved outcomes, although the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: For athletic patients undergoing surgery for DTC, the combination of thyroid hormone therapy with ^131I therapy appears to offer superior benefits over thyroid hormone therapy alone. This combined approach enhances immune function, improves liver function, and may contribute to lower rates of recurrence, distant metastasis, and lymph node metastases, suggesting a potentially valuable treatment strategy for athletic individuals recovering from DTC surgery.