J. Feldkamp et al., IODIDE OR L-THYROXINE TO PREVENT RECURRENT GOITER IN AN IODINE-DEFICIENT AREA - PROSPECTIVE SONOGRAPHIC STUDY, World journal of surgery, 21(1), 1997, pp. 10-14
In a randomized study, prevention of goiter recurrence with L-thyroxin
e was compared with pure iodide substitution after thyroid surgery for
nodular goiter in an iodine-deficient area. Altogether 107 patients w
ere followed up for 52 weeks after thyroid resection. The thyroid volu
me was determined sonographically. Free thyroxine, total thyroxine, th
yrotropin, thyroglobulin, and antibodies to thyroglobulin and thyroid
peroxidase were measured, The thyroid volume decreased slightly over t
he course of a year in the two therapy groups. There was no significan
t difference between the two groups, Recurrences were seen with both L
-thyroxine medication and iodide substitution. The thyroglobulin level
s fell significantly over the 52-week follow-up period in the iodide g
roup. Antibody formation was not observed under iodine substitution, I
n an area of iodine deficiency, substitution with iodide is just as ef
fective as medicating the patients with L-thyroxine for preventing rec
urrences.