We have read of too many Graves sufferers being pushed towards either radioactive iodine treatment or surgery. We have also seen quite a few who have stuck with anti-thyroid medicines for many years. Clearly opposing viewpoints. Good to see a paper specifically looking at long term use of anti-thyroid medicines.
Thyroid. 2017 Oct;27(10):1223-1231. doi: 10.1089/thy.2016.0652. Epub 2017 Sep 15.
Long-Term Antithyroid Drug Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Azizi F1, Malboosbaf R1.
Author information
1 Endocrine Research Center of Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, I.R. Iran .
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Several studies have reported inconsistent findings on the advantages and disadvantages of long-term treatment with antithyroid drugs (ATD). A systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to clarify the numerous aspects of long-term treatment with ATD.
METHODS:
Medline and the Cochrane Library for trials published between 1950 and May 2016 were systematically searched. Studies containing data for long-term (>24 months) ATD treatment were included. Summary estimates of pooled prevalence, odds ratio, and weighted mean difference were calculated with a random effects model.
RESULTS:
Of 587 related articles found, six fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Long-term ATD treatment induced a remission rate of 57% [confidence interval (CI) 45-68%], a rate that was higher in adults than in non-adults (61% vs. 53%). The rate of complications was 19.1% [CI 9.6-30.9%], of which only 1.5% were major complications. The annual remission rate for each year of treatment was 16% [CI 10-27%], which was higher in adults than non-adults (19% vs. 14%). However, it should be noted that this is not a true linear correlation, but a positive relationship can be suggested between time and remission rate. Meta-regression revealed that smoking had a significant lowering effect on remission rate.
CONCLUSIONS:
Long-term ATD treatment is effective and safe, especially in adults, indicating that it should be considered as an alternative treatment for Graves' disease.
KEYWORDS:
Graves' disease; antithyroid drugs; continuous therapy; long-term therapy; meta-analysis; methimazole; propylthiouracil
PMID: 28699478
DOI: 10.1089/thy.2016.0652
I noticed that the ratio 15:1 was used. Does anyone happen to know how much T4/T3 is released in healthy people?
The dose of NDT was like 30 mg in average which is pretty small.
For some reason they didn't compare the results of the questions done at baseline to the end of the study.
I think you might have replied on the wrong thread!