Endocrine Abstracts

Radioiodine is a highly effective and safe treatment for hyperthyroidism, including Graves’ disease. Remission rates for Graves’ hyperthyroidism following medical therapy alone, even with a full course of antithyroid drugs, are poor (∼40% overall), especially in certain groups such as those with severe hyperthyroidism, those with large goitres and probably in males. Furthermore, antithyroid drugs can themselves cause significant morbidity and occasional life th...

Radioiodine is indeed the best first line treatment in all patients with Graves’ disease. Except in those who want to try for pregnancy in the next few months, those with significant child care or work responsibilities that will not allow them to take the necessary radioprotection precautions, those who are breast feeding or who smoke and have ophthalmopathy, and those who have been exposed to stable iodine. Oh, and those who are not very happy to accept the risk of perma...