ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo study the effects of dexamethasone local injection as an adjunctive therapy for Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). Methods60 HT cases were equally divided into 2 groups at random. The patients in the control group were given euthyrpx while the patients in the treated group were injected dexamethasone in addition to the medicine used in the control group. The thyroid characters such as thickness, lymphocytic infiltration and changes of thyroid follicle were observed. The patients were followed up before treatment and 4, 12, 24weeks and 1 year after treatment. ResultsIn the treatment group, all thyroid glands turned significantly softer,and the mass became smaller compared with that in the control group. The pathology of thyroids indicated that lymphocytic infiltration decreased, local immune reaction was ameliorated, and no obvious hormone side effects were observed. ConclusionLocal use of dexamethasone can modify the structure and function of thyroid.