Shizume study on long term ATDs

[Guest guest]

Hi all -

I see that in the mid 20th century in Japan, it was generally

accepted that ATDs could be taken long term with no ill side effects:

QUOTE:

K Shizume

Long term antithyroid drug therapy for intractable cases of Graves'

disease.

Endocrinol Jpn, August 1, 1978; 25(4): 377-9.

Among the 504 patients with Graves' disease in whom the author

initiated antithyroid drug therapy between 1956 and 1968 are 14 to

whom the administration of antithyroid drug has been continued for 8

to 21 years because of recurrence shortly after the discontinuation

of drugs. During these periods, no side effects were observed and

three patients went into complete remission after 8, 9 and 20 years

of antithyroid drug administration, respectively. It is suggested

therefore that the long term administration of antithryoid drugs can

be a useful treatment for intractable cases.

END QUOTE.

(Intractible means " not easily managed or controlled " so I gather the

other study participants went into remission...?)

Now the big question: Why was it acceptable then, but American endos

push destruction of the thyroid gland and insist that ATDs are too

toxic to bother with??

Inquiring minds want to know. Copy this and take it to your next

endo visit. I'd post the link, but once again it is too long to copy

correctly.

Best Wishes,

Chris