#~]2-
cases in which minimal changes were believed to have been palpated
(see Table IVA).
A consultation with several thyroid experts had been
held during the summer in view of the seriousness of the thyroid development in the Marshallese.
The concensus was that the exposed people should
receive thyroid hormone treatment for the remainder of their lives, in
order to attempt prevention of further development of nodules, and possibly
induce regression of existing nodules.
Accordingly, at the time of the September survey, the 55 people in
the more heavily exposed group were begun on synthetic hormone,
L-Thyroxin (Synthroid’).
A daily dose of 0.3 mg. was given to all people
under 50 years of age in the group, and 0.2 mg. per day to all people
over 50 years of age.
It was decided to leave the new cases with
thyroid nodules in the Islands-under hormone treatment, and, if at the time
of the forthcoming survey in March 1966, the nodules had not regressed or
further nodules had developed, serious consideration would be given to
*
OESeae cee
returning them to the United States for study and possible surgery.
Synthroid:
Sodium levothyroxine, Flint Laboratories, Morton Grove,
Illinois.
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