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PubMed · 9830739

[Treatment of hyperthyroidism].

J Donoso
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Abstract

The pathogenic mechanisms of Basedow Graves disease are not well known. Therefore there is not a unique therapy for it. It occurs at any age, but is most frequently seen in women from 20 to 50 years old. Three types of treatments are currently used. Antithyroid drugs efficiently abate initial symptoms, but relapses are frequent after discontinuing the therapy. Approximately 2% of patients have complications with the use of propylthiouracil. The second therapy is radioiodine that, in adequate doses, causes a partial or complete destruction of the gland. Most patients will require lifelong substitution therapy with thyroid hormones. When radioiodine cannot be used, surgical excision of the gland is the third form of therapy. There are also surgical complications and a high number of patients will also require substitution therapy. Choice of the type of treatment will depend on age of the patient, severity of the disease and other conditions, but the physician must discuss the choices with the patient.

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J Donoso. 1998. [Treatment of hyperthyroidism].. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9830739/

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PubMed2006

The surgical management of Graves' disease.

BACKGROUND: The historical aspects of the pathophysiology and treatment of Graves' disease are briefly discussed in this paper. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The three treatment modalities of Graves' disease are anti-thyroid drug therapy, radioactive iodine therapy, and surgery. Although the majority of patients with Graves' disease in the U.S. are treated with radioactive iodine, surgery still plays an important role when patients cannot tolerate anti-thyroid drug therapy, when medical treatment is rejected by patients, or when surgery is deemed the fastest and safest route in managing the patient. CONCLUSIONS: The indications for surgical management of Graves' disease are discussed with emphasis on available data supporting the extent of thyroid resection based on the incidences of hypothyroidism, recurrence of hyperthyroidism, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and hypoparathyroidism.

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