Risk Factors for Radiation-Induced Hypothyroidism

 

Patient selection: external beam irradiation to the cervical region

 

Factors affecting the risk prediction:

(1) duration and intensity of follow-up

(2) method of detecting hypothyroidism

 

Risk factors for hypothyroidism:

(1) female gender

(2) surgery to thyroid gland

(3) other surgery to the neck

(4) Caucasian race (compared to African American)

(5) higher radiation dose to the neck (high risk if >= 45 Gy)

 

Although not mentioned in the study, pre-existing impaired thyroid function could be an additional risk factor.