APPRAISAL OF THE GOITROGENS: RESULTS OF TREATMENT WITH THIOURACIL, PROPYLTHIOURACIL AND RELATED ANTITHYROID DRUGS*

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Abstract
The author reviews the use of the anti-thyroid drugs in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Dosage ranges from 200 mg. per day (methyl or propylthiouracil) to 600 mg. per day (thiouracil). A summary of reports on the toxicity of these drugs shows thiouracil and methylthiouracil to be the most (10%) and propylthiouracil the least (about 2%) toxic. The greatest danger in their use is in the development of white blood cell depression. The use of antithyroid medication to bring the patient into a euthyroid state before surgery is strongly recommended and is probably the site of greatest usefulness of these drugs. Antithyroid medication vs. surgery in the treatment of hyperthyroidism is discussed in relation to permanence of cure and complications attendant on each method of treatment.