SINGLE DAILY DOSE SHORT TERM CARBIMAZOLE THERAPY FOR HYPERTHYROID GRAVES’DISEASE

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Abstract
Twenty-one patients with hyperthyroid Graves'' disease were treated with carbimazole 30 mg daily, given as a single dose. Propranolol was also given for the first 3 wk. All became clinically euthyroid with normal serum thyroxine (T4) levels, usually within 1-3 mo. Patients with large goiters and raised serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations took longer to respond. In 19 patients a positive TSH response to i.v. TRH developed. Carbimazole was stopped soon after (median time of treatment 18 wk, range 9-41 wk) and 18 patients were followed. Seven of these (39%) have remained in remission from hyperthyroidism for more than 1 yr (median 77 wk). Carbimazole 30 mg once daily is a convenient and effective treatment for hyperthyroid Graves'' disease. Many patients will achieve prolonged remissions if treatment is stopped when serum T3 [triiodothyronine] and T4 levels are in the low-normal range, usually 2-4 mo. after clinical euthyroidism was reached.