[Experience using lithium carbonate in the complex treatment of diffuse toxic goiter]

A study was made of the antithyroid effect of lithium carbonate in 163 patients with diffuse toxic goiter. In addition to clinical monitoring a radioimmunoassay was used to determine the level of serum thyroxine, triiodothyronine and thyrotropin. The most important indicators of the activities of the cardiovascular system were analysed by RCG and polycardiography findings. Data on a rapid and stable antithyroid effect of lithium carbonate were obtained. With the concentration of lithium ion within 0.4-0.8 meq/l the basal level of thyroxine and triiodothyronine decreased by 40 and 35% respectively. Reducing the level of circulating thyronines in hemocirculation lithium did not cause a sharp rise of blood thyrostimulating activity. In combined application of lithium and mercasolil the thyrostatic effect of both drugs was summarized. Lithium did not block iodine accumulating function of the thyroid permitting, if necessary, its combination with iodine drugs. Possible mechanisms of the effect of lithium on the thyroid in hyperthyroidism and its role in multimodality therapy of the diffuse toxic goiter were discussed.