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The effect of age on blood pressure in hyperthyroidism.

To better define the effect of age on blood pressure in patients with hyperthyroidism, the blood pressures of 321 patients with hyperthyroidism were compared with those of 324 euthyroid controls. Subjects were divided into four age groups by decade from 20 to 59 years. The systolic, but not diastolic, blood pressure in the patients with hyperthyroidism was significantly higher in all age groups. Among the euthyroid controls, the systolic blood pressure increased with age. However, no age-related increase was apparent among the hyperthyroid patients because of the relatively high systolic blood pressure in young patients. Effective antithyroid treatment reduced the systolic blood pressure significantly in hyperthyroid patients. The reduction of systolic blood pressure was greater in the younger hyperthyroid patients than that in the older ones, so that an age-related increase in systolic blood pressure was present after a euthyroid state had been achieved. These results provide evidence against the report that in hyperthyroidism, hypertension tends to occur in older patients, and suggest that the effect of excessive thyroid hormone on the systolic blood pressure may differ according to age.

Adult

Hypertension in cats with chronic renal failure or hyperthyroidism.

The Doppler ultrasonic recording technique was used to measure systolic and diastolic blood pressures indirectly in 28 cats with naturally occurring renal failure, 39 cats with hyperthyroidism, and 33 clinically normal cats. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the normal cats were 118.4 +/- 10.6 mm Hg and 83.8 +/- 12.2 mm Hg, respectively. In the cats with chronic renal failure, both the systolic (146.6 +/- 25.4 mm Hg) and diastolic (96.6 +/- 15.2 mm Hg) blood pressures were significantly higher (P less than 0.0001 and P less than 0.01, respectively) than in the normal cats. Elevations in systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure were recorded in 17 (61%) of the 28 cats with chronic renal failure. In the 39 untreated hyperthyroid cats, both the mean systolic (167.9 +/- 28.9 mm Hg) and diastolic (111.6 +/- 21.5 mm Hg) pressures also were significantly higher (P less than 0.0001) than normal. Increased systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure was recorded in 34 (87%) of the 39 hyperthyroid cats. In seven cats with hyperthyroidism that were reevaluated two to four months after successful treatment of the hyperthyroid state, there was a significant fall in mean systolic pressure (P less than 0.05) from a pretreatment value of 159.5 +/- 15.4 mm Hg to a posttreatment value of 132.0 +/- 1.62 mm Hg. Overall, the results of this study indicate that mild to moderate hypertension is common in cats with chronic renal failure and in cats with untreated hyperthyroidism. In addition, the hypertension appears to be reversible following successful treatment of the hyperthyroid state.

Animals

Effect of hypoxia on mechanical properties of hyperthyroid cat papillary muscle.

It has been previously established that hyperthyroid myocardium exhibits increased performance under well-oxygenated conditions. To date, it is not known whether hyperthyroid cardiac muscle can maintain this increased performance during hypoxia. The responses of isolated right ventricular papillary muscles from hyperthyroid and euthyroid kittens to hypoxia were compared under isometric conditions at 31 degrees C. Under well-oxygenated conditions, the hyperthyroid cardiac muscle exhibited both an increased contractility and an accelerated rate of relaxation. A similar degree of acute hypoxic stress for 15 min resulted in a greater decrease in contractility in the hyperthyroid compared with the euthyroid papillary muscle as indicated by a greater fall in both peak tension development (2.2 +/- 0.25 from 4.2 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.15 from 3.2 +/- 0.4 g/mm2, P less than 0.01) and +dT/dt (12.9 +/- 2.3 from 25 +/- 3 vs. 4.0 +/- 0.6 from 14 +/- 1 g-s-1-mm-2, P less than 0.01). In addition, compared with the euthyroid data, hypoxia resulted in impaired myocardial relaxation in the hyperthyroid cardiac muscle. Thus, the hyperthyroid compared with the euthyroid papillary muscle exhibits both a greater decrease in contractility and an impairment of myocardial relaxation during hypoxia, indicating a greater susceptibility to a given hypoxic stress.

Animals

Effects of beta-blocking agents on urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine during experimental hyperthyroidism in rats.

Beta-blocking agents are increasingly used as preoperative treatment of hyperthyroid patients. Relatively little is known about the effects of these drugs on metabolic alterations in hyperthyroidism. The aim of this investigation was to study the effects of two different beta-blocking agents on the urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) during experimental hyperthyroidism in rats. Experimental hyperthyroidism was induced by daily intraperitoneal injections of triiodothyronine (T3; 100 micrograms/100 g body weight) for 3 days. Control animals were injected with corresponding volumes of solvent. Groups of rats received food enriched with metoprolol (8.8 mmol/kg of diet) or propranolol (3.3 mmol/kg of diet) or food without additions. Urinary 3-MH excretion was increased by about 40% during experimental hyperthyroidism. A similar increase of 3-MH excretion was found in animals receiving T3 + metoprolol, whereas the excretion of 3-MH was reduced to control level in hyperthyroid rats receiving propranolol. No effects of metoprolol or propranolol on 3-MH excretion were found in control animals. Although the source of 3-MH cannot be exactly defined, the present results indicate that increased proteolysis in skeletal muscle and/or other tissues during experimental hyperthyroidism was reduced by propranolol.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists

Effect of arginine on the GHRH-stimulated GH secretion in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Patients with hyperthyroidism have reduced GH responses to pharmacological stimuli and reduced spontaneous nocturnal GH secretion. The stimulatory effect of arginine on GH secretion has been suggested to depend on a decrease in hypothalamic somatostatin tone. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of arginine on the GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-stimulated GH secretion in patients with hyperthyroidism. Six hyperthyroid patients with recent diagnosis of Graves' disease [mean age +/- SEM, 39.2 +/- 1.4 years; body mass index (BMI) 22 +/- 0.4 kg/m2] and 6 healthy nonobese volunteers (4 males, 2 females; mean age +/- SEM, 35 +/- 3.5 years) underwent two experimental trials at no less than 7-day intervals: GHRH (100 micrograms, i.v.)-induced GH secretion was evaluated after 30 min i.v. infusion of saline (100 ml) or arginine (30 g) in 100 ml of saline. Hyperthyroid patients showed blunted GH peaks after GHRH (13.2 +/- 2.9 micrograms/l) as compared with normal subjects (23.8 +/- 3.9 micrograms/l, p < 0.05). GH peaks after GHRH were only slightly enhanced by arginine in hyperthyroid subjects (17.6 +/- 2.9 micrograms/l), whereas, in normal subjects, the enhancement was clear cut (36.6 +/- 4.4 micrograms/l; p < 0.05). GH values after arginine + GHRH were still lower in hyperthyroid patients with respect to normal subjects. Our data demonstrate that arginine enhances but does not normalize the GH response to GHRH in patients with hyperthyroidism when compared with normal subjects. We hypothesize that hyperthyroxinemia may decrease GH secretion, both increasing somatostatin tone and acting directly at the pituitary level.

Adult

Plasma atriopeptin concentrations in hyperthyroidism, euthyroidism, and hypothyroidism: studies in man and rat.

Atriopeptin (AP) is a polypeptide produced by atrial myocytes that is capable of inducing diuresis, natriuresis, and vasodilatation. Because thyroid dysfunction is known to be associated with alterations in both renal function and vasomotor control, we investigate the possible effects of varying thyroid function on AP in humans and rats. Plasma AP concentrations were determined in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients and normal subjects. Plasma AP was also measured in some patients after the iv infusion of 1 L 150 mmol/L NaCl and after treatment of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Plasma and atrial AP concentrations were measured in hyperthyroid, euthyroid, and hypothyroid rats. Plasma AP concentrations did not differ in the hyperthyroid (n = 22), euthyroid (n = 45), and hypothyroid (n = 16) subjects [47.1 +/- 18.2 (mean +/- SD), 45.1 +/- 28.9, and 42.4 +/- 20.0 pg/mL, respectively]. After NaCl infusion, mean plasma AP concentrations did not increase significantly in any of the three groups. Treatment of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism did not result in a significant change in plasma AP levels. In contrast, plasma AP concentrations were significantly higher in T4-treated (hyperthyroid) rats than in either euthyroid or propylthiouracil-treated (hypothyroid) rats [621 +/- 17 vs. 266 +/- 41 (P less than 0.01) and 210 +/- 28 pg/mL (P less than 0.001), respectively], whereas atrial AP contents were similar in the three groups of rats. We conclude that hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism in man are not associated with significantly altered plasma AP concentrations. The higher plasma AP levels in T4-treated rats may reflect the relatively shorter duration or greater severity of thyroid dysfunction or thyroid hormone-induced myocardial hypertrophy in the animals.

Adult

Peripheral glucose metabolism in human hyperthyroidism.

The present study was designed to determine the effect of spontaneous hyperthyroidism on the forearm muscle glucose uptake and oxidation during the postabsorptive state and after an oral glucose challenge. Ten normal subjects and 11 hyperthyroid patients were studied after an overnight fast (12-14 h) and for 3 h after ingestion of 75 g glucose. Peripheral glucose metabolism was analyzed by the forearm technique to estimate muscle exchange of substrate combined with indirect calorimetry. Increased forearm glucose uptake was observed in the hyperthyroid patients compared to that in the normal subjects (1286 +/- 212 vs. 677 +/- 88 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h) with enhanced glucose oxidation (443 +/- 40 vs. 147 +/- 29 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h). Nonoxidative glucose metabolism was also greater in hyperthyroid patients than in normal subjects (842 +/- 234 vs. 529 +/- 90 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h). Basal serum FFA levels were significantly higher in hyperthyroid than in normal subjects (0.252 +/- 0.025 vs. 0.182 +/- 0.022 g/L), as were the basal lipid oxidation rates in the forearm muscles of the thyrotoxic individuals (0.290 +/- 0.066 vs. 0.088 +/- 0.016 mg/100 mL forearm.min). After glucose ingestion, serum FFA levels and lipid oxidation rates declined significantly to equivalent values in both groups of subjects, and the similar basal insulin concentrations increased to significantly higher levels in the hyperthyroid patients. In conclusion, spontaneous human hyperthyroidism increases glucose uptake by the forearm muscles in the postabsorptive state and during an oral glucose challenge, with augmented fluxes of glucose through the oxidative and nonoxidative pathways.

Administration, Oral

Suppressed plasma prolactin response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in hyperthyroidism reproduced by thyroxine but not by triiodothyronine administration to normal subjects.

In 10 hyperthyroid women studied in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, basal plasma PRL was normal, but PRL release after TRH was significantly suppressed compared with that in 11 control women. The suppressed PRL response to TRH was not explained by changes in serum estradiol or sex hormone-binding globulin. It recovered after treatment of hyperthyroidism. When normal women were treated with T4 (0.5 mg daily for 6 to 10 days), their mean serum free T4 level increased to about 70% of that in the hyperthyroid patients, whereas their serum free T3 levels increased to a lesser degree. During T4 administration, these women had PRL changes similar to those of the hyperthyroid patients. When the normal women took T3 (60-120 micrograms for 6 to 8 days), their serum free T3 increased to almost the level of the hyperthyroid patients, but the TRH stimulated PRL release remained close to the control level. The PRL increase after dopaminergic blockade with metoclopramide was significantly suppressed in hyperthyroid patients, and they had no PRL response to TRH after pretreatment with metoclopramide. In conclusion, the PRL changes in hyperthyroidism were reproduced by administration of T4, but not by administration of T3 to healthy women. The site of action is suggested to be pituitary, but additional hypothalamic effects cannot be excluded.

Adult

Delayed puberty caused by hyperthyroidism in ram lambs is not a result of suppression in body growth.

Over a period of 8 weeks ram lambs (16 weeks old) were made hyperthyroidal (serum thyroxine approximately equal to 150 ng/ml, compared with control approximately equal to 48 ng/ml) by daily subcutaneous injections of thyroxine or maintained at a constant body weight by restriction of the feed intake. Hyperthyroidal and restricted-intake lambs remained at a constant body weight during the period of treatment whilst control rams gained body weight. Testicular growth was normal in restricted-intake lambs but was suppressed in hyperthyroidal animals. Hyperthyroidism, but not feed restriction, was also associated with decrease in LH pulse frequency (1.3 +/- 0.3/12 h compared with controls 4.8 +/- 0.9/12 h. Hyperthyroidal lambs showed normal LH responses to exogenous LHRH. After cessation of treatment testicular growth continued to be suppressed for up to 16 weeks in previously hyperthyroidic rams; thereafter testes began to increase in size but at 30 weeks after treatment were still smaller than those of control rams. It is concluded that elevated thyroxine concentrations directly influence sexual maturation in ram lambs through actions at hypothalamic and/or higher brain centres which control LH secretion. Transient hyperthyroidism during sexual maturation may cause permanent impairment of sexual development.

Animals

Increased lipid peroxidation in hyperthyroid patients: suppression by propylthiouracil treatment.

Plasma and urinary levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBAR) were determined in 24 hyperthyroid patients, 19 hypothyroid subjects, 35 controls, and 17 hyperthyroid patients before and after propylthiouracil (PTU) treatment (400 mg/day for 2-3 months), as indexes of lipid peroxidation. These measurements were carried out together with t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxygen uptake and visible chemiluminescence in erythrocytes as functional tests related to the antioxigenic capacity of cells. Hyperthyroid patients exhibited increased levels of plasma and urinary TBAR compared to controls. Erythrocyte suspensions from hyperthyroid patients showed, compared to controls, higher rates of oxygen consumption with shorter induction periods upon addition of t-BHP, together with 142% and 75% increases in basal and t-BHP-induced chemiluminescence, respectively. Levels of TBAR in untreated hyperthyroid patients in plasma (16.2 +/- 1.3 pmol/mg of protein) and urine (15.9 +/- 1.5 nmol/mg of creatinine) were decreased after PTU treatment (Plasma, 9.5 +/- 0.7, p less than 10(-4); urine, 7.8 +/- 0.9, P less than 10(-5) to values not significantly different from those of the control group (plasma, 10.3 +/- 0.6; urine, 7.9 +/- 0.7). Compared to control, elevated rates of oxygen uptake induced by t-BHP, basal and t-BHP-induced chemiluminescence in erythrocyte suspensions from untreated hyperthyroid patients were reverted to normal by PTU, while decreased induction period (T0) values were enhanced. Determination of these lipid peroxidative parameters in hypothyroid patients revealed no significant changes over control values, excepted t-BHP-induced chemiluminescence in erythrocytes that was diminished. These data indicate that hyperthyroidism is associated with a pro-oxidant condition characterized by an enhancement in circulating and urinary lipid peroxidative indexes, which is suppressed by PTU treatment. It is suggested that this condition might reflect an oxidative stress at cellular level in tissues which are target for thyroid hormone action with a calorigenic response.

Adult

[Cardiac and plasma catecholamine response to dynamic exercise in hyperthyroidism].

To investigate cardiac and sympathoadrenal responses to dynamic exercise, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, serial plasma norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) concentrations during multistage treadmill exercise were measured in 24 hyperthyroid patients (mean age; 42 +/- 16) and 24 age-sex matched control subjects. Eleven patients were re-examined in the euthyroid state after antithyroid therapy. Exercise duration was shorter in patient with hyperthyroidism. Also, the heart rates and systolic blood pressures at rest and in the early stage of exercise were significantly higher in hyperthyroidism. NE at rest (normal vs hyperthyroid: 124 +/- 10 vs 80 +/- 7 pg/ml, p < 0.01) and NE at peak exercise (475 +/- 38 vs 310 +/- 38 pg/ml, p < 0.01) were lower in hyperthyroidism. E at rest (22 +/- 2 vs 29 +/- 4 pg/ml, n.s.) did not differ, however, E during the first stage of exercise (30 +/- 3 vs 69 +/- 12 pg/ml, p < 0.01) was higher in hyperthyroidism. Re-examination for the euthyroid state revealed the decreases in the heart rates and systolic blood pressures at rest and in the early stage of exercise, and the normalization of the NE and E response. Thus, patients with hyperthyroidism was in the hyperdynamic cardiac state at rest and during dynamic exercise, which was accounted for by decreased sympathetic nervous activity and increased adrenomedullary responses. These modifications of sympathoadrenal response seemed reversible when patients were controlled by antithyroid therapy.

Adolescent

[Serum activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme and osteocalcin levels in hyperthyroidism].

This study was carried out in order to investigate serum changes of osteocalcin (BGP) and angiotensin converting enzyme (SACE) activity in a group of patients with hyperthyroidism. We studied 20 hyperthyroid patients (F 14, M 6; age mean 37.5 +/- 16.8 years) and 13 control subjects (F 11, M 2; age mean 40.3 +/- 7.5 years). In both patients and controls we measured: FT3, FT4, T3, T4, TSH, BGP, SACE. Finally, in patients with hyperthyroidism a TRH test and functional investigations were also performed. We observed that mean SACE levels were significantly increased in hyperthyroid patients (32.06 +/- 10.3 nmol/ml/min) in respect to control subjects (14.66 +/- 3.88 nmol/ml/min) (p = 2.02 E-6). Similarly serum BGP levels were significantly increased in hyperthyroid patients (5.94 +/- 2.55 ng/ml) than in control subjects (2.89 +/- 1.58 ng/ml) (p = 5.66 E-4). There was a significant linear correlation between SACE and T4 levels (r = 0.48; p < 0.05), between serum BGP and T4 (r = 0.50; p < 0.02) and furthermore between SACE and BGP (r = 0.57; p < 0.01). In conclusion both serum BGP and SACE levels are increased in patients with hyperthyroidism and are directly correlated between than and with indexes of thyroid function; therefore, they may be regarded as peripheral indexes of hyperthyroidism.

Adult

Effect of hypoxia and catecholamine stimulation on cardiac performance in the isolated working hyperthyroid rat heart.

The hyperthyroid heart has a greater oxygen demand due to its enhanced contractile state and higher basal metabolic rate. Consequently, it may be more sensitive to conditions of decreased oxygen supply or increased oxygen use. We, therefore, investigated the effect of a restricted oxygen supply (hypoxia) and enhanced oxygen demand (catecholamine stimulation) on cardiac function in the isolated working hyperthyroid heart. Hypoxia was induced by substituting 20% of the oxygen in the perfusate with nitrogen, while catecholamine stimulation was with isoproterenol. Hypoxia caused a 37% drop in cardiac output in the hyperthyroid heart and a 10% decrease in euthyroid hearts. In response to isoproterenol, a dose-dependent increase in heart rate was found in both groups which was greatly augmented in the hyperthyroid hearts by hypoxia. With isoproterenol stimulation under normoxic conditions, euthyroid hearts showed a moderate increase in contractile performance (cardiac output and dP/dtmax), while in hyperthyroid hearts contractile performance declined. Hypoxia exacerbated the decrease in function of the hyperthyroid heart. In conclusion, our results indicate that the hyperthyroid heart is very sensitive to imbalances in the myocardial oxygen supply/demand ratio, especially when demand is increased in the presence of decreased supply.

Animals

Low serum thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone) in older persons without hyperthyroidism.

We studied a large population (n = 2575) of unselected ambulatory persons older than 60 years to determine the prevalence of a low serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, ie, of less than 0.1 mU/L using a sensitive assay, a level suggestive of hyperthyroidism in younger adults. One hundred one persons (3.9%) had a low serum TSH level. About half of them (51/101) were taking thyroid hormone. Of the remainder, 44 were not hyperthyroid did not become so during up to 4 years of follow-up. Forty-one of the 44 euthyroid persons had a serum thyroxine level of less than 129 nmol/L; repeated testing showed a serum TSH level of more than 0.1 mU/L in the three euthyroid persons with a serum thyroxine level of more than 129 nmol/L. Only six were hyperthyroid or became so during the follow-up period; all had a serum thyroxine level of more than 129 nmol/L. Routine clinical examination was not a sensitive indicator of hyperthyroidism and did not permit discrimination from euthyroidism. A low value of serum TSH alone, while it had high sensitivity and specificity for hyperthyroidism, had a low positive predictive value (12%) for this diagnosis; addition of the thyroxine assay raised the predictive value fivefold to 67%. A low value of serum TSH is far more common in older persons than is hyperthyroidism. Low values in euthyroid persons are accompanied by a clearly normal serum T4 concentration (less than 129 nmol/L) or by a serum TSH level of more than 0.1 mU/L on repeated testing. We recommend measurement of the serum TSH thyroid concentration, using a sensitive assay, as the initial step in testing any older person for possible hyperthyroidism. Measurement of the serum T4 concentration or the free T4 index on the same sample would be needed only in the approximately 2% with a serum TSH level of less than 0.1 mU/L; alternatively, the TSH assay in these could be repeated at a later time.

Aged

[The risk of recurrence following the thyrostatic treatment of immunogenic and nonimmunogenic hyperthyroidism].

Data of 196 patients treated for hyperthyroidism exclusively with antithyroid drugs were analyzed retrospectively concerning the relapse rate within a follow-up period of four years. Patients were subdivided for primary or recurrent disease, and for immunogenic or non-immunogenic hyperthyroidism, respectively. In immunogenic as well as in non-immunogenic hyperthyroidism, the relapse rate was significantly lower for patients with primary disease (35% and 52%, respectively) compared to those with recurrent hyperthyroidism (82%, p less than 0.001 and 83%, p less than 0.001, respectively). In patients with primary disease, clinical, biochemical and scintigraphic parameters were tested with respect to their capability of predicting a relapse. For immunogenic hyperthyroidism the highest relapse rates were observed in young patients and in those with large goitres, whereas for non-immunogenic hyperthyroidism they were highest in old patients, in those with nodular goitres and in those without an increased urinary iodine excretion at the time of diagnosing hyperthyroidism.

Adolescent

[Incidence of autonomy and immune hyperthyroidism before and following preventive use of iodized salt in the Berlin-Brandenburg area].

The incidence of hyperthyroidism was observed in the area of Berlin (1.2 million inhabitants) and in a rural district in the geographical region of the "Mark Brandenburg" (48.115 inhabitants) during the period from 1975 und 1989. This area is characterized with a iodine deficiency grade II (WHO). In 1985 an iodine salt supplementation was introduced by law. The period before iodine salt supplementation 1975-1985 was compared to the period after iodine prophylaxis: there was an increase in hyperthyroidism in the Berlin-area by the ratio 1:3.1 and 1:2.8 (1975-83 compared to 1988 and 1989), in the rural district by 1:1.7 (1980-1985 compared to 1986/87). The ratio autonomy (non immunogenic form) to immunogenic etiology was 1:12 (1977-83), and changed to 1:1.45 in 1988 and 1:16.3 in 1989 after iodine supplementation. The sex ratio male:female was 1:10 before, and 1:6.8 after prophylaxis for hyperthyroidism in total, in autonomy the ratio was observed as 1:12 before and 1:7.7 (1988), 1:4.7 (1989) after supplementation, in immunogenic hyperthyroidism 1:10 unchanged in the early and late period of observation. The increase of hyperthyroidism after iodine prophylaxis correlated well with the consumption of thyrostatic drug Thiamazol (Methimazol) for the whole country. The defined daily dose (DDD)/1000 inhabitants/day increased during the observation time from 0.5 (1984), 0.55 (1985), 0.66 (1986), to 1.47 (1987), 1.26 (1988) and 0.81 (1989). The results are compared and discussed with reports from USA, Iceland, Great Britain, Denmark, Italy and Tasmania. During the period of seven years (1980-87) in the rural district a seasonal dependence of onset in hyperthyroidism was observed in spring time between May and June only in immunogenic hyperthyroidism, despite in thyroidal autonomy the disease began throughout the year without a seasonal peak.

Berlin

[Clinical analysis of 36 cases of coexistent hyperthyroidism with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura].

36 cases of coexistent hyperthyroidism and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were reported. There were 33 cases of overt hyperthyroidism with ITP. After treatment with antithyroid drugs the platelet count returned to normal in 29 and somewhat increased in the remaining four cases. The other three cases had ITP accompanied by hyperthyroidism. In 2 cases the platelet count decreased when they had accompanying hyperthyroidism. When the thyroid function returned to normal after antithyroid treatment, the platelet count returned to normal in one and increased in another. The authors discussed the association between hyperthyroidism and ITP and treatment of coexistent hyperthyroidism and ITP. Probable mechanisms causing thrombocytopenia in hyperthyroidism were discussed also.

Adult

Treatment of hyperthyroidism in community hospital.

The preferred treatment of hyperthyroidism remains controversial. Most of this data is derived from large, university-based medical centers. We report here our experience with treatment of hyperthyroidism in a community setting. This involves 144 patients with hyperthyroidism who were seen over a 10 year period at Michigan State University Clinical Center and were treated in the community hospitals and private physicians' offices, and by community surgeons. Follow-up data were available on 119 of these patients; 105 of them were hyperthyroid because of Graves' disease and multinodular goiter. Patients were encouraged to make their own decisions regarding choice of therapy, as independently as possible. Sixty-five percent of these patients were treated by 131I, 18% by antithyroid drugs, and 17% by surgery. The mean follow-up period was 2.5 years (range 2 months to 19 years). Hyperthyroidism was controlled in 84% of the patients treated by 131I and 83% of the patients treated by surgery. Forty percent of the patients treated by 131I and 33% treated by surgery became hypothyroid. Fifty percent of the patients achieved remission when treated by antithyroid drugs alone. Our results indicate that when patients are encouraged to make their own decisions regarding the treatment of hyperthyroidism, their choices are similar to those of the thyroidologists. Secondly, the results obtained with different modalities of treatment for hyperthyroidism in a community setting are similar to those obtained in university medical centers.

Adolescent