The prognostic value of serum thyroid‐stimulating hormone level post‐lobectomy in low‐ and intermediate‐risk papillary thyroid carcinoma

Background: This study was undertaken to determine the optimal thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) value associated with structural recurrence in patients with low‐risk or intermediate‐risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who underwent thyroid lobectomy. Methods: Patients with PTC (n = 1047) who received thyroid lobectomy and central compartment node dissection were included in the study. Results: Structural recurrence occurred in 42 of the patients (4.0%), and no patient died of PTC. Multivariate analysis showed a primary tumor size (with a cut‐off of 0.85 cm) and serum TSH level measured 1 year after the initial surgery (cut‐off 1.85 mU/L) independently predicted structural recurrence. Conclusions: TSH levels during the early postoperative period need to be monitored and maintained in the lower normal range even in patients with low‐ or intermediate‐risk PTC undergoing thyroid lobectomy.