Evidence based medicine and the choice of treatment method for hyperthyroid patients. Hard science vs the Emperor’s New Clothes

Learning Objectives We briefly review the clinical and biochemical identification of hyperthyroid patients, along with differential diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. We review the types of hyperthyroidism and imaging of hyperthyroid patients. We focus on several major treatment options and their expected outcomes. Nuclear Therapy can be based on several popular approaches and these are compared.

Trying to provide the best means for treating hyperthyroid patients is seldom easy. Nuclear Medicine physicians and Endocrinologists often base these decisions on experience rather than evidence based medicine. In this light, we hope to educate the reader about the treatment of hyperthyroid patients. Various options and methods will be reviewed in light of evidence based medicine