Surgical treatment of thyrotoxicosis.

A retrospective study of thyrotoxic patients treated by subtotal thyroidectomy between 2 and 21 years ago in the north-east of Scotland showed that 20% of the patients could not be identified or traced at the time of the survey. The thyroid status of 40% of patients followed up was abnormal.It is now accepted that radioiodine treatment of thyrotoxicosis is followed by a significant incidence of late onset hypothyroidism, and life-long follow-up is regarded as obligatory. The findings in this study indicate that similar methods of aftercare are required for surgically treated patients and for all patients receiving thyroxine-replacement therapy.