[Dynamics of the hormone profile and cardiovascular changes in toxic goiter as affected by lithium carbonate]

Clinical and physiological data, characterizing a total endocrinological status, thyroid hormone secretion and the cardiovascular functional state, were determined in 68 patients with diffuse toxic goiter of different severity. Lithium carbonate tablets (0.3 g) were indicated orally in a dose of 0.9 to 1.2 g daily during 3--4 months. Good results were obtained in 48.5% of the patients, moderate ones in 41.2% and in 10.3% of cases the drug was ineffective. Over a period of lithium carbonate treatment the thyroid iodine-containing and hormone-forming functions improved, renin plasmatic activity and cortisol level lowered, hyperactivity of the insular apparatus diminished. Hemocirculatory signs returned to normal and hyperdynamic ones decreased. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective in mild and moderate thyrotoxicoses, as well as during a preparing patients for the radical treatment, i.e. strumectomy.