[Outcome of treating hypothyroidism with thyreoideum]

The results of hypothyreosis therapy with thyroideum (dried thyroid gland) were assessed in 40 patients. The study aimed at establishing proper dosage and assaying blood serum T4, T3, and TSH levels. Daily dose of 1 tablet (0.2 mg of iodine) improved clinical status but did not cover the daily requirement of the body for thyroid hormones. An increase in daily dose to 2 tablets (0.4 mg of iodine) produced nearly complete compensation of hypothyreosis. However, such a daily dose was often associated with adverse reactions, especially in patients with arterial hypertension or atherosclerosis. Thyroid hormones assay has shown that dried thyroid gland administered in daily dose of 0.4 mg normalizes serum T3 levels whereas serum T3 levels remained constantly low, and TSH increased as in non-treated disease. An increase of the daily dose to 0.6 mg of iodine produces excessive increase in serum T3 levels with clinical symptoms of T3 toxicity.