[Value of suppression test as a guide to prognosis of hyper-thyroidism treated with anti-thyroid drugs (author's...

23 out of 42 suppression tests in 39 hyperthyroid patients were positive. In these patients thyreostatic treatment was stopped. In the follow-up period of 1-4 years hyperthyroidism recurred in 4 cases. Eight patients out of another group of 20 patients in whom antithyroid treatment was stopped after an equally long period without previous suppression testing also had a recurrence of hyperthyroidism. Frequency of relapses after antithyroid treatment can thus be diminished considerably if treatment is stopped only after suppression of the thyroid has been demonstrated. Lack of suppression after 18 to 24 months of thyreostatic therapy is an indication for treatment with radioiodine or surgery.