[Behavior of the TSH level in thyroidectomized patients after thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)].

Following operation or/and radioiodine therapy in 69 patients with malignant tumors of the thyroid gland the plasma level of TSH was increased independently of the level of thyroid hormone and of a clinical finding of hypothyroidism. In all cases it was possible to stimulate the secretion of TSH with TRH (p less than 0,0005). Therefore, application of TRH may be helpful to increase the uptake of iodine by metastases. On the other hand substitution of thyroid hormones--thyroxine or triiodothyronine or both combined--resulted in normal levels of TSH and normal response to TRH.