[Sonographic volumetry of the thyroid gland in the control o thyroxin and iodide treatment of non-toxic goiter].

In a prospective study 39 patients with diffuse euthyroid goitre were treated for one year with 100 micrograms levothyroxine (n = 19) or 500 micrograms iodide (n = 20). Efficacy of treatment was assessed by sonographic thyroid volumetry . In both forms of treatment maximum volume decrease was already seen within the first six months. After treatment for one year the mean decrease of thyroid volumes was 27.5% in the thyroxine group and 22% in the iodide group. This difference was statistically not significant. There was no difference in the extent of goitre size reduction within the thyroxine group among patients with complete TSH suppression and with still positive TRH test. Significant increases of T4 and of fT4 values within the normal range were observed already after one month with thyroxine treatment and only after 3 months with iodide treatment. There were no changes of the T3 values. In one female patient iodine-induced hyperthyroidism occurred. However, there were no further side effects in both treatment groups. This randomised study documents for the first time that both 500 micrograms of iodide and 100 micrograms of levothyroxine have a comparable efficacy for reduction of goitres.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes