[Radio-iodine treatment of hyperthyroidism. Experience in more than 2000 patients (author's transl)].

Results of radioiodine therapy (131/125) of hyperthyroidism are reported. The individually calculated doses of 131-iodine were: 6000 rad in cases of small (not more than 60 g) diffuse goiters, 8000-10000 rad in large diffuse goiters, 10000-12000 rad in nodular goiter and 30000-40000 rad in autonomous adenoma. In about 75% of the patients a single application of 131-iodine was sufficient to control the hyperfunction. The cumulative risk of myxedema ten years after therapy was: 31% in small diffe goiters, 12% in large diffuse goiters and 6% in nodular goiter. All cases considered together, the cumulative myxedema risk was about 12%. This figure compares favourably with the results of surgical treatment and they document the necessity of individual calculation of the dose in order to get optimal results. 125-iodine was applied since October 1972 in cases of small diffuse goiters. The dose was standardized according to the gland weight, uptake and effective half value time (dose at the colloid-cell interface 12000-15000 rad). 5-12 months thereafter, there were about 60% of the patients euthyroid. The genetic and somatic risk of radiation is considered quantitatively and we conclude that there is no real argument aginst radioiodine therapy of hyperthyroidism except in children and in youth. Risks and efficiency of other treatments (surgical, antithyroid drugs) are compared with the radioiodine treatment and it is concluded that radioiodine is to be preferred in the major part of the hyperthyroid patients.