Low-Dosage¹³¹I Therapy of Thyrotoxicosis (Diffuse Goiters)

Abstract

RADIOACTIVE iodine therapy effectively controls hyperthyroidism in the majority of patients treated. However, the subsequent appearance of hypothyroidism in some1 has been of increasing concern. There is a cumulative incidence of hypothyroidism after radioiodine that may affect a large percentage of patients 10 years after therapy.2 3 4 Hypothyroidism may also appear in an appreciable number of patients after subtotal thyroidectomy, reported as 28 per cent by Nofal and Beierwaltes, with similar results by others.4 5 6 Indeed hypothyroidism may follow as a late sequel to Graves's disease regardless of the type of therapy and has been considered part of the natural history of . . .