Drug reference
Thyrotropin alfa
Thyroid Hormone · Thyroid diagnostic agent
Also known as Thyrogen, recombinant human TSH
Thyroid HormoneThyroid diagnostic agent
CDSCO approvedSchedule H
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
—
none in our sources
PREGNANCY
Avoid.
FDA category + note
Mechanism
Thyrotropin alfa is a recombinant form of thyrotrophin (thyroid stimulating hormone). It acts as an agonist at TSH receptors, stimulating thyroid tissue (both normal and malignant) to take up radioactive iodine and release thyroglobulin. This facilitates the detection of thyroid remnants and cancer and increases radio-iodine uptake for ablation.
Indications
Detection of thyroid remnants and thyroid cancer in post-thyroidectomy patients, together with serum thyroglobulin testing (with or without radioiodine imaging)To increase radio-iodine uptake for the ablation of thyroid remnant tissue in suitable post-thyroidectomy patientsEvaluation and treatment of well-differentiated thyroid cancer
Dosing
- Adult
- 900 micrograms every 24 hours for 2 doses, dose to be administered into the gluteal muscle.
Contraindications
- Previous hypersensitivity to bovine or human thyrotrophin
Side effects
Common
AstheniaDizzinessHeadacheNauseaVomiting
Serious
- Atrial fibrillation
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypersensitivity
- Pulmonary reaction
- Neoplasm complications
- Residual metastases enlarged
- Stroke
- Dyspnoea
- Goitre
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Avoid.
Lactation
Avoid.
Related guidelines
Other Thyroid Hormone drugs
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Sources: Goodman & Gilman 14e, Katzung, BNF·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team