THIOURACIL TREATMENT OF THYROTOXICOSIS

Abstract

Thiouracil induced remissions of thyrotoxicosis in all of 247 patients and of these 121 were thyroidectomized. Thyrotoxic reactions were less before, during and immediately following the operation than in comparable patients treated with iodide but there was greater vascularity and friability of the thiouracillized glands. The combined admn. of iodide and thiouracil gave the best results. Patients were usually permitted to work during the pre-operative prep, interval. After discontinuing thiouracil, 49 of 100 patients did not experience a relapse of thyrotoxicosis in intervals of 3-21 mos., whereas in 51 a relapse was evident in 0.5-5 mos. (66% in 1 mo.). On cessation of therapy, remissions were more apt to occur (1) the longer the thiouracil had been given, (2) when there was only slight thyroid gland enlargement, (3) in subjects with slight increase in BMR and (4) when the patients were [female] [female]. Desiccated thyroid admn. or roentgenotherapy did not increase the incidence of remissions in a few cases. A decrease in thyroid size was noted in 63% of 69 patients treated for 8 mos. or longer. There were no significant chronic toxic reactions to thiouracil.