Control of severe thyrotoxicosis with potassium iodide and propranolol

Conventional preparation of thyrotoxic patients for surgery using thiouracils and iodides may not be possible because of either, inability to obtain satisfactory therapeutic levels of the drugs or idiosyncratic reactions to the drugs. An alterative regime using potassium iodide and propranolol in combination has previously been shown to be both safe and effective in the pre-operative control of mild to moderate thyrotoxicosis. The use of this combination in a patient with severe thyrotoxicosis is described. Potassium iodide and propranolol can be used successfully to prepare patients with all degrees of thyrotoxicosis for surgery.