How we do it: surgery should be considered equally with I131 and thionamide treatment as first-line therapy for...

Radioiodine and thionamide treatment are the most frequently used treatment modalities for thyrotoxicosis in Europe and North America with surgery being reserved for selected cases. * In our clinic patients were offered all three modalities via simultaneous interview with an endocrinologist and a surgeon, with international risk benefit data for radioiodine and thionamide therapy, and local risk benefit data for total thyroidectomy provided. * When given the choice, at least 15% of patients opted for total thyroidectomy over the other modalities. * In our series of 100 consecutive surgical patients there was a 4% malignancy rate. * Total thyroidectomy should be offered equally, with radioiodine and thionamide treatment, as a first line treatment modality in the management of thyrotoxicosis.