[Combination therapy of endemic goiter with two different thyroxine/iodine combinations].

Aim: Of this study was to investigate the extent of thyrotropin (TSH) suppression and volume reduction in combination therapy of endemic goitre. We compared an individually adapted dose of thyroxine with a fixed dose.

Methods: 105 patients of a multicenter study (randomised, single blinded, controlled) received daily a weight-adjusted LT4-dose in combination with 150 micrograms iodide (group A) or a fixed combination of 100 micrograms LT4 plus 100 micrograms iodide (group B), respectively. At the beginning and after 12 weeks TSH-levels and goitre volume were examined.

Results: Although the amount of thyrotropin suppression showed no differences in both groups, there were more patients in the weight-adjusted treatment group with completely suppressed thyrotropin serum concentrations (p < 0.05). Both groups showed a reduction of goitre volume of 24%

Conclusion: A weight-adjusted LT4-dose of 1.4 micrograms/kg body weight often leads to subclinical hyperthyroidism. To obtain low TSH-levels without complete suppression LT4-doses of 1.0 microgram/kg body weight plus 150 micrograms iodide are probably sufficient.