Goitre with euthyroid function or with subclinical or mild hyperthyroidism due to thyroid autonomy is common.
In anthroposophic medicine various thyroid disorders are treated with Colchicum autumnale (CAU). We examined the effects of
CAU in patients with goitre of both functional states. Patients and methods. In an observational study, 24 patients with goitre
having suppressed thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with normal or slightly elevated free thyroxine (fT4) and free
triiodothyronine (fT3) (group 1, ? = 12) or normal TSH, fT3, and fT4 (group 2, ? = 12) were included. After 3 months and
after 6 to 12 months of CAU treatment, we investigated clinical pathology using the Hyperthyroid Symptom Scale (HSS), hormone
status (TSH, fT4, and fT3), and thyroidal volume (tV). Results. After treatment with CAU, in group 1 the median HSS decreased
from 4.5 (2.3–11.8) to 2 (1.3–3) (? < 0.01) and fT3 decreased from 3.85 (3.5–4.78) to 3.45 (3.3–3.78) pg/mL (? < 0.05). In group 2 tV
(13.9% (18.5%–6.1%)) and TSH (? < 0.01) were reduced. Linear regression for TSH and fT3 in both groups indicated a regulative
therapeutic effect of CAU. Conclusions. CAU positively changed the clinical pathology of subclinical hyperthyroidism and thyroidal
volume in patients with euthyroid goitre by normalization of the regulation of thyroidal hormones.

Leggi l’articolo