Hypothyroidism and Thyroid Hyperplasia in Patients Treated With Cobalt

The polycythemic action of cobaltous salts in animals has led to the investigation of the effect of cobalt in types of anemia not amenable to other therapy. 1 Favorable hematological responses have been reported in the anemia associated with chronic infection, 1b the anemia of chronic renal insufficiency, 1c and sickle cell anemia. 2 Thus far the most frequent adverse effects reported have been anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, 3 which appear preventable by the use of enteric-coated tablets. 4 Less frequent side-effects have included flushing of the face and extremities, 1c rash, 1f tinnitus and nerve deafness, 1d substernal pain, 1c and thrombocytosis. 5 It is the purpose of this report to describe five cases of an additional toxic manifestation of cobalt therapy, namely, thyroid hyperplasia associated with thyroid hypofunction. In the past three years small groups of cases of anemia associated with chronic renal insufficiency and sickle cell anemia