Modem concepts of pathogenesis and clinical features of diffuse toxic goiter

Diffuse toxic goiter (DTG) is an autoimmune disease, which is based on a congenital defect in the immune system. As a result of stimulating the synthesis of antibodies directed to the TSH receptor. Goiter forms gradually and then hyperthyroidism develops. For the last decades it has been pointed out a steady increase in the number of new cases of diffuse toxic goiter and drastic reduction of likelihood of remission. To some extent the spectrum of thyroid disease and the nature of the disease depend on the level of iodine provision in the particular region. Active iodine preventive measures were implemented among the population in Saint-Petersburg for the last decades. So the median urinary iodine increased from 105 (1999) to 148 mg/l (2010). Probably the growth of the iodine intake in Saint- Petersburg reduces the incidence of DTG remission and thus optimization of the treatment in these patients seems to be relevant and requires further study.