Glucocorticoids are preferable to thionamides as first-line treatment for amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis due to destructive thyroiditis: a matched retrospective cohort study.

Context: Type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is a destructive thyroiditis usually responsive to glucocorticoids; however, recent surveys showed that many expert thyroidologists worldwide use thionamides for type 2 AIT patients.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of methimazole (MMI) or prednisone (GLU) in type 2 AIT patients who had a short cure time according to a published predictive model.

Design: This was a matched retrospective cohort study.

Proportion of type 1 and type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis has changed over a 27-year period in Italy.

Context: Two main forms of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) exist. Type 1 AIT is a form of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism. Its management is complex and includes thionamides, potassium perchlorate and, occasionally, thyroidectomy.

Glucocorticoid response in amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis resulting from destructive thyroiditis is predicted by thyroid volume and serum free thyroid hormone concentrations.

Context: Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) resulting from destructive thyroiditis (type 2) is commonly treated with glucocorticoids, but time needed to restore euthyroidism may be unacceptable for patients with underlying cardiac disorders.

Objective: The objective of this prospective study was to identify factors affecting the response to glucocorticoids in a large cohort of patients with type 2 AIT followed prospectively.

Setting: This study was conducted at university centers.

Treatment of type II amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis by either iopanoic acid or glucocorticoids: a prospective, randomized study.

Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) may occur either in the presence of underlying thyroid disease (type I AIT) or in apparently normal thyroid glands (type II AIT). Type II AIT, a destructive thyroiditis, often favorably responds to glucocorticoids. Iopanoic acid (IopAc) is an iodinated cholecystographic agent that inhibits deiodinase activity and reduces the conversion of T(4) toT(3).