PREOPERATIVE TREATMENT OF THYROTOXICOSIS WITH ANTITHYROID DRUGS AND THYROXINE

Abstract

In thyrotoxicosis, it is probable that the thyroid gland is stimulated by some agent which operates without regard to the level of circulating thyroid hormone and that the level of normal TSH is depressed. When antithyroid drugs are administered the amount of circulating thyroid hormone decreases and the level of normal TSH increases, thereby causing enlargement of the gland. This investigation shows that administration of thyroxine prevents this increase in the size of the thyroid by keeping the patients euthyroid during continued treatment with antithyroid drugs. The variations in the size of the gland with different forms of treatment are discussed.