THE EFFECTS OF SODIUM IODIDE, 6-PROPYLTHIOURACIL, AND l-METHYL-2-MERCAPTOIMIDAZOLE DURING RADIOIODINE THERAPY OF HYPERTHYROIDISM*†

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Abstract
Four groups of thyrotoxic patients were treated with therapeutic doses of I131. Three of the groups have been given, in addition, either Nal 6-propylthiouracil, or 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole for a 2-week period commencing 1 week after admn. of radioiodine. An early and significant reduction in the serum precipitable I level was induced by l-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole but not by NaI or propylthiouracil. Clinical improvement was noted with NaI and with l-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole admn. several weeks before an effect from radiation with radioiodine could have been expected. No such benefit resulted from 6-propylthiouracil. The percentage of patients achieving remission from a single dose of isotope may have been reduced, and the total dosage of I131 required to induce remission increased, as a consequence of the supplementary medication. Only borderline significance can be attributed to this finding. The effective half-life of the isotope within the thyroid has been unaltered by the iodides or antithyroid drugs used in this study despite the different mechanisms of action upon the gland.

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