[Prognostic evolution of Graves' disease treated by synthetic antithyroid (author's transl)]

Abstract

A follow-up of at least 4 years after withdrawal of a medical treatment of 77 patients with Graves' disease is presented. The treatment consisted in Carbimazole (15-30 mg/d), LT3 (75 ug/d), Propranolol (30-60 mg/d), Hydroxyzine (75 mg/d). A normal thyroid suppressibility (20 mm 99m Tc uptake test) is obtained in patients without goiter faster than in those with goiter. A normal early uptake at the sixth month therapy is a good index for cure. Despite this result the authors recommend a treatment of 12 to 18 months duration because of the probable immunodepressive effect of the antithyroid drugs.