Serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were measured at frequent intervals in 9 hyperthyroid patients treated with iodide alone. Serum T4 and T3 levels fell initially in all patients. In 6 patients, after a mean fall in serum T4 of 46% and in serum T3 of 47% after 4 to 11 days of therapy, thyroid hormone levels began to rise. In the 3 remaining patients a rise in thyroid hormone levels was not seen following the initial fall. However, in one of this group T4 and T3 levels did not reach the normal range despite 60 days of therapy. These data support the concept that iodide alone is not an ideal agent for the treatment of hyperthyroidism.
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Emerson et al. (1975) studied this question.