The use of lithium carbonate in the preparation for definitive therapy in hyperthyroid patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to elucidate the effectiveness of lithium carbonate prior to thyroidectomy or radioiodide therapy in patients with thyrotoxicosis.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

Lithium carbonate was used as preoperative preparation or radioiodide therapy in 5 patients with Graves' disease and in 1 patient with toxic multinodular goiter because of side effects of thionamide in 5 patients and ineffectiveness of antithyroid medication in the remaining patient.

RESULTS

All 6 patients had a benign course following treatment without thyroid storm. No adverse effects or complications of lithium carbonate were observed.

CONCLUSION

This report shows that lithium carbonate can be safely used preoperatively or prior to radioiodide therapy in circumstances where antithyroid medications are contraindicated and are ineffective in obtaining an euthyroid status.