[Lithium acetate, a useful and well tolerated thyrostatic for selected cases of hyperthyroidism]. 1978

F Eigenmann, and H Bürgi

Lithium acetate treatment of 6 patients with hyperthyroid Graves' disease and 6 patients with toxic nodular goiter is reported. Lithium acetate was administered either as monotherapy (group A) or combined with 45 mg carbimazole or methimazole (group B). A control group of 8 patients received methimazole or carbimazole only (group C). Lithium either alone or combined with thionamide drugs consistently lowered serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine with marked clinical improvement. After 7 days of treatment thyroxine was reduced by 28% (group A), 43% (group B) and 36% (group C). The respective decrease in triiodothyronine was 42%, 50% and 46%. The differences between three groups were not statistically significant. We conclude that lithium is a useful antithyroid agent for selected patients, since it is safe and effective even in severe cases, does not interfere with radioiodine uptake for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes and provides an alternative for patients allergic to thionamides.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006980 Hyperthyroidism Hypersecretion of THYROID HORMONES from the THYROID GLAND. Elevated levels of thyroid hormones increase BASAL METABOLIC RATE. Hyperthyroid,Primary Hyperthyroidism,Hyperthyroidism, Primary,Hyperthyroids
D008094 Lithium An element in the alkali metals family. It has the atomic symbol Li, atomic number 3, and atomic weight [6.938; 6.997]. Salts of lithium are used in treating BIPOLAR DISORDER. Lithium-7,Lithium 7
D008713 Methimazole A thioureylene antithyroid agent that inhibits the formation of thyroid hormones by interfering with the incorporation of iodine into tyrosyl residues of thyroglobulin. This is done by interfering with the oxidation of iodide ion and iodotyrosyl groups through inhibition of the peroxidase enzyme. Methymazol,Thiamazole,1-Methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole,Favistan,Mercasolyl,Mercazol,Mercazole,Mercazolyl,Merkazolil,Methizol,Methylmercaptoimidazole,Metisol,Metizol,Strumazol,Tapazole,Thiamazol Henning,Thiamazol Hexal,Thimazol,Thyrozol,Tiamazol,Tirodril,1 Methyl 2 mercaptoimidazole,Henning, Thiamazol,Hexal, Thiamazol
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D002231 Carbimazole An imidazole antithyroid agent. Carbimazole is metabolized to METHIMAZOLE, which is responsible for the antithyroid activity. Carbimazole Henning,Neo Tomizol,Neo-Mercazole,Neo-Thyreostat,Neomercazole
D004341 Drug Evaluation Any process by which toxicity, metabolism, absorption, elimination, preferred route of administration, safe dosage range, etc., for a drug or group of drugs is determined through clinical assessment in humans or veterinary animals. Evaluation Studies, Drug,Drug Evaluation Studies,Drug Evaluation Study,Drug Evaluations,Evaluation Study, Drug,Evaluation, Drug,Evaluations, Drug,Studies, Drug Evaluation,Study, Drug Evaluation
D004359 Drug Therapy, Combination Therapy with two or more separate preparations given for a combined effect. Combination Chemotherapy,Polychemotherapy,Chemotherapy, Combination,Combination Drug Therapy,Drug Polytherapy,Therapy, Combination Drug,Chemotherapies, Combination,Combination Chemotherapies,Combination Drug Therapies,Drug Polytherapies,Drug Therapies, Combination,Polychemotherapies,Polytherapies, Drug,Polytherapy, Drug,Therapies, Combination Drug
D006044 Goiter, Nodular An enlarged THYROID GLAND containing multiple nodules (THYROID NODULE), usually resulting from recurrent thyroid HYPERPLASIA and involution over many years to produce the irregular enlargement. Multinodular goiters may be nontoxic or may induce THYROTOXICOSIS. Nodular Goiter,Goiters, Nodular,Nodular Goiters
D006111 Graves Disease A common form of hyperthyroidism with a diffuse hyperplastic GOITER. It is an autoimmune disorder that produces antibodies against the THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE RECEPTOR. These autoantibodies activate the TSH receptor, thereby stimulating the THYROID GLAND and hypersecretion of THYROID HORMONES. These autoantibodies can also affect the eyes (GRAVES OPHTHALMOPATHY) and the skin (Graves dermopathy). Basedow's Disease,Exophthalmic Goiter,Goiter, Exophthalmic,Graves' Disease,Basedow Disease,Hyperthyroidism, Autoimmune,Basedows Disease,Disease, Basedow,Disease, Basedow's,Disease, Graves,Disease, Graves',Exophthalmic Goiters,Goiters, Exophthalmic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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