Comparison of various treatment schedules for accelerating the elimination of radioiodine from the thyroid and the human body.

Abstract

In 68 euthyroid patients undergoing 131I thyroid function tests the thyroidal, urinary and plasma protein-bound radioactivity has been serially measured for 14 days. The patients were subdivided in controls and 9 groups treated with potassium iodide, carbimazole, potassium perchlorate and TSH, singly or in combination. The aim was to devise a treatment scheme for accelerating the release of iodine from the thyroid and the elimination from the body in cases of accidental radioiodine poisoning if the patient is seen after the radioiodine has already been taken up by the gland. All treatment schedules were effective, but TSH injections gave the best results, especially if combined with carbimazole and potassium perchlorate. This combination is the treatment of choice under these circumstances.