Saturday December 23, 2006
Iodide in Thyroid Storm

Q; How long should you wait to administer iodide after giving antithyroid medication in the management of thyroid storm ?

A; Atleast one hour.

Oral or rectal iodide compounds block release of thyroid hormones after starting antithyroid drug therapy. But if given early in management (before antithyroid medication become effective) it can get utilize in the synthesis of new thyroid hormone.

Read nicely written review on Thyroid Storm (and Myxedema coma) by Nikolaos Stathatos, MD, and Leonard Wartofsky, MD from Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. - ref.: emedmag.com, 02/15/2003 issue.