...more results - using desiccated thyroid

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Paper Title: SYMPTOMATIC ATHEROSCLEROSIS: PREVENTION OR MODIFICATION BY TREATMENT WITH DESICCATED THYROIDAuthor: JAMES C. WREN, M.D.Date Published: 01-Jan-1971Publication: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY Vol. 19, No 1, p 7, 1971

All patients were given desiccated thyroid in an initial dosage of 15 to 30 mg daily (single dose). This was increased slowly to 60 to 240 mg (4 grains) daily (single dose) within six months, the aim being full replacement or physiological dosage. The final dosage was a matter of clinical judgment rather than laboratory study. In most cases the dosage at six months was maintained throughout the rest of the study. In the majority of cases the daily dosage was 120 mg (104 patients) or 180 mg (190 patients).

RESULTSSubjective findingsGeneral. In the symptomatic group, 100 of 132 patients reported benefit from thyroid therapy, in the form of an increased sense of well-being, increased exercise tolerance, greater motivation and greater alertness. Twenty-two remained unchanged and 10 died. It is generally conceded that human atherosclerosis is irreversible, but these results indicate that the administration of thyroid may be of benefit in many cases.

Probably of most importance and significance was the statistical observation that for these thyroid-treated patients the mortality rate was lower than that for the population at large. (Note the doses. They are quite high on average compared to today and that death rate was lower in thyroid treated patients whose doses were based on clinical assessment, not tests.)