Use of Lugol’s Solution in the Management of Complex Graves’ Disease-a Small Case Series

Abstract

Background: There are currently no clear guidelines for the peri-operative use of Lugol’s solution (LS) as an alternative to conventional anti-thyroid drug (ATD) therapy in patients with complex Graves’ thyrotoxicosis. Clinical Cases: Case 1 is a 44- year-old woman who presented with symptoms of hyperthyroidism and a moderately enlarged goiter due to Graves disease. She was treated initially with Methimazole 45 mg, once daily which was reduced to 30 mg once daily after a week. She subsequently presented to the emergency department with severe anxiety, sore throat, and a high fever. A blood panel showed evidence of profound agranulocytosis due to Methimazole. Methimazole was stopped and she was treated with a 10-day course of LS followed by a semi-elective total thyroidectomy.Case 2 is a 54-year-old old woman who presented with thyrotoxicosis due to Graves’ disease. She was started on Propylthiouracil (PTU) to which she developed hepatotoxicity and the decision was made to stop PTU. Methimazole was substituted to which she developed a severe desquamating rash hence it had to be stopped immediately. She was given a 10 day course of LS followed by semi-elective total thyroidectomy. Conclusion: In both cases, hyperthyroidism was successfully treated with Lugol’s solution and their surgeries were uneventful with full recovery. Although beneficial, Lugol’s Solution may result in adverse effects such as severe hypothyroidism, escape hyperthyroidism and death. These cases highlight the need for evidence based treatment guidelines for the use of Lugol’s solution in complex hyperthyroid cases.