[The effect of thyrostatic treatment on circulating thyrotropin-receptor antibodies in Basedow's disease]

In 80 patients with Basedow's disease (20 nontreated and 60 under treatment with methimazole) were examined. The antibodies inhibiting the binding of TSH (TBII) by the radioreceptor method (Thyrotropin-Receptor-Anti-Körper Assay = TRAK), TRH-test, T3, T4, FT4, FT. TRAK-positive) values above 15 u/l) were 80% of the nontreated and 20% of the treated patients. In the course of 3 up to 6 months from the start of the treatment 60% of the examined patients were negative and at the end of the 18th month--92% were negative. A significant difference in the frequency of the recurrences was found between the TRAK-positive and the TRAK-negative patients. Between the TRAK, FT3, FT4, the size of the struma, the presence of ophthalmopathy [correction of ophthalmycthere] are positive relations. The following conclusions are made: 1. The determination of TBII and TRAK is not only of diagnostic but also of prognostic importance. 2. Methimazole exerts a specific immunosuppressive action and can lead to an immunologic remission in a comparatively short time.