Carbimazole methimazole study

INTERVENTION: Randomized controlled prospective clinical trial conducted at the medical clinics of the University Medical Unit, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Diabetes Research Unit and private sector medical consultations. 60 consecutive newly diagnosed patients with Graves' thyrotoxicosis are recruited from the above mentioned clinics. They are randomized to study and control groups. The study group will be started on 20mg methimazole daily and the control group will be started on 30 mg carbimazole daily. Patients will be followed up at 4, 8 and 12 weeks with thyroid function tests. Doses are titrated according to the biochemical response. The study will be continued for 12 weeks CONDITION: Graves' thyrotoxicosis PRIMARY OUTCOME: Normalization of free T4 SECONDARY OUTCOME: Normalization of serum TSH and FT3, rate of response of the drugs, reduction of the FT4 by a unit measurement of the drug INCLUSION CRITERIA: All males and females with newly diagnosed Graves' thyrotoxicosis attending to the clinics mentioned above who are in the 18‐70yrs age group Criteria for diagnosis of Graves' disease ‐ Signs and symptoms of Graves' hyperthyroidism; Diffusely enlarged goiter; Elevated thyroid hormones; Free T4 ‐ Suppressed TSH levels enlarged goiter