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Reevaluation of Amiodarone
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•Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references
•Type with double-spacing
•Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.
Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.
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TO THE EDITOR:
In his comprehensive review of amiodarone, Dr. Podrid [1] discusses minor thyroid abnormalities, particularly the elevation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. He does not mention the more common and more problematic elevation in thyroxine levels. Elevation of TSH levels is only transient, and levels gradually return to pretreatment values [2, 3]. In contrast, thyroxine and free thyroxine levels remain elevated [2, 3]. This condition can be confused with hyperthyroidism, which also occurs in a few patients receiving amiodarone. It can be difficult to distinguish between a euthyroid patient receiving amiodarone and an amiodarone-treated patient who has become hyperthyroid [3, 4]. Ultrasensitive TSH assays and measurement of triiodothyronine and free triiodothyronine levels can be useful in this setting [3, 4].
Zia Ahmed, MD
Joel M. Goldman, MD
Brookdale Hospital Medical Center; Brooklyn, NY 1212
The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:
•Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references
•Type with double-spacing
•Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.
Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.
Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.
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