[Nonsurgical therapy of hyperthyroidism (author's transl)].

Special procedures are: (1) Short-term treatment with steroid hormones; (2) antithyroid substances; (3) radioactive iodine; (4) operation. The first two methods are complementary to the definitive procedures of isotope and surgical therapy. The indications conform to the age of the patient and the size of the goiter. The treatment of choice in 60% of all cases is radioactive iodine; 20-25% are treated with antithyroid substances only for several years. The remaining cases, complicated by goiters of size II and more, should be handled surgically. Discussion based on personal experience with 3580 cases over 20 years).