Congenital hypothyroidism from complete iodide transport defect: long-term evolution with iodide treatment

Hypothyroidism from iodide transport deficiency is a rare disease, especially when found in two affected siblings. Treatment with high doses of iodide has been recommended, but no long term results have been reported. Two siblings with congenital hypothyroidism due to total failure to transport iodide have been followed up during twelve and a half years of treatment with oral potassium iodide. Iodine doses varied between 10.3 and 22 mg/day, and serum total iodine concentrations between 100 and 210 micrograms/dl. Total triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and free T4 were in the normal range during the time of study. Basal thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) and maximum TSH response to thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) were also in the range of normal values. These data along with clinical findings confirmed the potential usefulness of iodine in hypothyroidism due to complete iodide transport defect.