Effects of Methimazol and Propyl-thiouracial in the Treat­ment of Hyperthyroidism in Tehran

The response to methimazole and propylthiouracil was evaluated in patients with toxic goiter residing in Tehran, an area of iodine deficiency. Treatment with methimazole, 10 mg twice daily, in 15 patients decreased FT4I from 22.7±6.8 to 12.1±2.5, 10.8±2.8 and 6.0±4.3, 8, 14 and  28 days after treatment respectively. Corresponding FT 3I values were 415±90, 196±36, 162±44 and 117±4 6.At  28 days, FT 4I was subnormal in 7( 46%) patients, of whom one had increased TSH. Treatment with PTU, 100 mg twice daily, in 10 patients decreased FT4I from 25.1±6.8 to 13.2±2.1 and 8.5±2.1, 14 nd 28 days after treatment respectively. Corresponding FT3I values were 430±80, 210±45 and 140±35. These results indicate that treatment with recommend­ed textbook doses of antithyroid drugs may cause hypothyroidism in Tehran.