ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of iodide (300 micrograms daily) with that of levothyroxine (1.5 micrograms/kg daily) in the treatment of endemic goitre in middle-aged and elderly persons. The possible occurrence of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin was also tested. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 67 patients (54 women, 13 men; aged over 40 years, average 53.5 years) with endemic goitre, excluding toxic goitre, were randomly treated with either iodine or thyroxine. Every 3 months for one year their thyroid volume was obtained by ultrasound and the activities of thyroid hormone (TH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and the concentration of antibodies against peroxidase and thyroglobulin were measured. RESULTS: In patients on levothyroxine the thyroid volume had already markedly decreased after 3 months (P < 0.0001), diminishing by 15.4% at 12 months. Volume reduction in the group on iodine was 16.2% at one year. There was no significant difference between the two medications and no case of antibody production in the iodine group. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of endemic goitre with iodine alone is efficacious even in middle-aged or elderly patients, toxic goitre having been excluded. There was no evidence of antibody production against thyroid antigens at the stated iodine dosage.
