| Popis: |
TSH has been incriminated in Graves’ disease for increasing the production of antibodies against TSH receptor (TRAb). It has been, therefore, suggested that T-4 administration after successful antithyroid drug (ATD) treatment may indirectly decrease the production of TRAb and, therefore, the frequency of recurrence of hyperthyroidism. To study the role of T-4 and T-3 on the recurrence rate of Graves’ disease 108 patients with Graves’ disease (22 males, age: 49.8+/-14.3 yr, mean+/-SD, and 86 females, age: 41.7+/-12 yr) were followed-up for 24 months after successful treatment with ATD (carbimazole). During the follow-up period, patients daily received either 100 mug T-4 or 25 mug T-3 or placebo after random and double-blinded assignment into three groups. They were evaluated trimonthly up to 12 months and at 24 months. Plasma TRAb levels were measured at the beginning and at 12 months. At 12 months of the follow-up period, 14 out of 33 (42.4%), 6 out of 38 (15.8%), and 9 out of 37 (24.3%) patients receiving T-4, T-3 and placebo, respectively, recurred. Recurrence rate of T-4-treated patients was statistically higher than that of the T-3-treated patients or controls (p |
