The role of lithium as an adjunct to 131I therapy of thyrotoxicosis has been assessed. Seventeen lithium- 131I treated patients and 16 control- 131I treated patients have been followed for almost three years. Five lithium- 131I and 3 control- 131I patients have become hypothyroid with the lithium treated patients developing earlier thyroid failure. Ten lithium and 10 control patients remain clinically and biochemically euthyroid. Two lithium- 131I and 2 control- 131I patients remain on low dose antithyroid drugs.
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