[Value of the thyroliberin test in the evaluation of the results of surgical treatment of patients with diffuse toxic goiter].

The time course of the basal level of the thyrotropic hormone (b TSH) and its concentration after thyroliberin (TRH) stimulation was studied in 28 patients with diffuse toxic goiter suffering from severe thyrotoxicosis before the onset of drug therapy, directly before operation, early and long after the operation. The TRH test was shown as a diagnostic test of efficacy of drug therapy. A higher level of b TTH with a lowered reaction to TRH in the first 6 mos. after operation was of compensatory nature requiring no substitution therapy. The restoration of the endocrine axis hypothalamus-pituitary gland-thyroid was noted 1 year after the operation.