Iodine‐induced Toxic Diffuse Goitre

A report is given of iodine‐induced hyperthyroidism and goitre in a patient who ingested seaweed tablets for over two years and lived in an area of iodine sufficiency. There was spontaneous remission of both hyperthyroidism and goitre three months after withdrawal of excess iodine. This case shows that neither pre‐existing iodine deficiency nor goitre are necessary for development of iodine‐induced hyperthyroidism and that a combination of iodine‐induced thyrotoxicosis and goitre can occur. Various theories for the pathogenesis of iodine‐induced hyperthyroidism are discussed briefly.