[Preclinical and manifest hypothyroidism following thyroid gland operation]

62 patients who were strumectomized on account of carcinoma of the thyroid gland, hyperthyroidism and thyroiditis underwent an after-examination on an average 6 years after operation. In preclinical hypothyroidism which cannot be differed from euthyroidism on the basis of the thyroid hormone concentrations, or only by means of the TRH-tolerance test, an increased TSH-response after TRH-tolerance and a T3-preference in comparison to T4 were observed. In manifest hypothyroidism the compensatory mechanisms exhausted and despite the increased TSH-concentration in the serum the ability for TRH-stimulation and the concentrations of the thyroid hormone are reduced. In preclinical and manifest hypothyroidism are recommended ca. 160-170 micrograms thyroxin per day for the substitution therapy after operation of benign diseases of the thyroid gland and after operations of the thyroid tumour the suppression therapy with ca. 220 micrograms thyroxin per day.