The present studies demonstrate that iodine depletion increases the sensitivity of the thyroid to the goitrogenic effects of thyrotropin. Iodine depletion was induced by feeding rats a low iodine diet containing propylthiouracil for 10-14 days before hypophysectomy. Accumulation of iodine in the thyroid after hypophysectomy was prevented by continuing the antithyroid drugs in the diet. Doses of...

The effect of selenium supplementation on recurrent hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease is unclear. Our study aimed to assess the efficacy of selenium supplementation therapy on recurrent Graves' disease. Forty-one patients with recurrent Graves' disease were enrolled in this study. All patients received the routine treatment using methimazole (MMI), while patients allocated to the seleni...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of lithium (Li) as an adjuvant in radioiodine therapy of hyperthyroidism. METHODS A randomized controlled trial was carried out on 350 hyperthyroid patients with a mean follow-up period of 32.3 +/- 9.8 months (range, 12-60 months). The patients were randomized into two groups with 175 patients in each group: (1) radioiodine group (controls)-no lithium was given ...

There is no comparative cost-utility study between 131I therapy and antithyroid drugs (ATD) therapy for Graves' disease, though 131I therapy has higher remission rate and less side effects. The objective of the study was to analyze the cost-utility of ATD therapy versus 131I therapy by calculating life-long medical costs and utility, based on the responses of Graves' disease patients to questio...

We herein report the case of a 41-year-old Japanese female office worker who developed symptomatic hypocalcemia with severe vitamin D deficiency following treatment for Graves' disease with methimazole. The patient's hypocalcemia was mainly caused by vitamin D deficiency due to unbalanced diets and inadequate exposure to sunlight in addition to the resolution of hyperthyroidism. Vitamin D defic...

Swelling of the thyroid gland is a common symptom in patients with Graves' disease. However, until recently there were no adequate means of measuring the thyroid volume. In this study, thyroid volume (in Graves' disease patients on antithyroid drug (ATD) therapy) was measured serially by a new ultrasound technique involving the use of a specifically programmed computer. The relationships betwee...

Cholestyramine (CS) is an ion exchange resin, which binds to iodothyronines and would lower serum thyroid hormone level. The use of CS added to conventional antithyroid drugs to control thyrotoxicosis has been applied since 1980's, and several studies indicate that using CS in combination with methimazole (MZ) produces a more rapid decline in serum thyroid hormones than with only MZ treatment. ...

Tetraethylthiuram disulfide (Antabuse) has been demonstrated to be clinically useful in treating alcoholism (1). The compound has been shown to inhibit the oxidation of acetaldehyde (2) and, further, to inhibit the action of rat liver xanthine oxidase to the extent of 71 per cent, and the succinoxidase system 100 per cent (3). Examination of the chemical structure of Antabuse indicates that it ...

OBJECTIVE To compare cost of treating hyperthyroidism with antithyroid medications (ATD) versus radioactive iodine (RAI). As secondary outcome we also analyzed data in terms of remission rates. METHODS This was a retrospective comparative analysis of hyperthyroid patients treated with ATD or RAI from January 2000 to December 2005. Cost of ATD, TSH. FT4, doctors visits; thyroid technetium scan...

BACKGROUND Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and its receptors play important roles in the development and persistence of psoriatic plaques. The antithyroid thioureylenes, propylthiouracil and methimazole, are effective in the treatment of patients with psoriasis with a significant number of patients showing clearing or near clearing of their lesions after a several weeks of treatment. ...