Effects of telephone follow-up on patients with sub-clinical hypothyroidism

Objective To explore the effects of telephone follow-up on patients with sub-clinical hypothyroidism. Methods Of 120 patients who were diagnosed as sub-clinical hypothyroidism between January, 2014 and June, 2014, 60 were included in control group and 60 were assigned in observation group by a random number table. Patients in control group received routine check-up and treatment protocols according to their condition, in contrast, patients in observation group had extra telephone follow-up. Patients′ symptoms, the degree of goiter, thyroid ultrasound examination, thyroid function and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and other indicators were compared in the two groups after 12 weeks intervention. Results After the intervention, both groups had an improvement in slow reactions, chills, skin changes, body mass increase, etc. After invention, thyroid stimulating hormone and TPOAb in observation group were statistically different from those in control group [(1.955±1.633) vs (2.875±3.025)mIU/L, (204.500±825.500) vs (438.500±1 065.250) IU/ml] (Z=2.539, 1.451; P 0.05). Conclusions Telephone follow-up intervention is helpful to improve the symptoms of patients with sub-clinical hypothyroidism, alleviate goiter and promote thyroid function back to normal. Key words: Hypothyroidism; Telephone follow-up; Intervention