A Study of Carbimazole Treatment in Hyperthyroidism Comparsion with Radioiodine

Background and Objective Hyperthyroidism is a common clinical disorder all over world. Even though diagnosis in hyperthyroidism is generally straight forward, its prevalence varies among population. Although effective treatments for hyperthyroidism are available, none is perfect. Among available treatments, antithyroid drugs and radioactive iodine are useful. Hence, this study is undertaken to know the therapeutic response of antithyroid drug and radioiodine in hyperthyroidism. Methods Study included 75 patients attending outpatient department (OPD) /admitted in S. S. Hospital fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients with drug therapy group received carbimazole (neomercazole) 10 milligrams thrice daily followed by maintenance dose of 10mg twice daily once patients achieved euthyroid state or radioiodine therapy group received 10-15 milli curies (mCi) of radio iodine 131. Total triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and total count (TC) were done once in every 3 months and patient was followed-up for minimum of 6 months and maximum of 18 months period following initiation of treatment. Results Study includes 75 patients with hyperthyroidism in which 50 patients were in drug therapy group and 25 patients were in radioiodine therpy group. After antithyroid drug therapy, 90.9 % of patients with hyperthyroidism became euthyroid in 12 months of therapy, 6 % of patients remained hyperthyroid at the end of 18th month, 5.6 % of patients developed hypothyroidism at the end of 18th month. There was no incidence of adverse side effects with antithyroid drug. After radioiodine therapy, 36 % of patients were euthyroid after 3 months, 76.5 % of patients developed hypothyroidism at the end of 12th month, 14.3 % of patients remained hyperthyroid at the end of 18th month. Conclusion Among the available treatments for hyperthyroidism, radioiodine is the most effective treatment for controlling the hyperthyroidism but hypothyroidism is a common complication. There was a good response to antithyroid drug with lesser side effect of hypothyroidism.