| Treatment of Graves Disease | | | | specifically designed to stimulate the thyroid.It has a |
| First described by Sir Robert Graves in the early 19th | | | | familial tendency. The disease is characterized by the |
| century, Graves' disease is one of the most common | | | | formation of autoantibodies that bind to receptors in |
| of all thyroid problems. It is also the leading cause of | | | | thyroid cell membranes and stimulate the gland to |
| hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland | | | | hyperfunction. |
| produces excessive hormones. | | | | What are the symptoms of Graves Disease |
| Graves' disease is a thyroid disorder characterized by | | | | Tremors (fine trembling of the hands and fingers) |
| goitre, exophthalmos, and hyperthyroidism. It is caused | | | | Changes in menstrual patterns (usually lighter flow, less |
| by an antibody-mediated auto-immune reaction as to | | | | frequent periods) |
| form anti-TSH-Receptor antibody. However, the trigger | | | | The thyroid gland grows larger (goiter) as it produces |
| for this reaction is still unknown. It is the most common | | | | more and more hormone. Common symptoms of |
| cause of hyperthyroidism in the world, and the most | | | | hyperthyroidism include weight loss, nervousness, |
| common cause of general thyroid enlargement in | | | | irritability, sweating, dislike of hot weather, shakiness, |
| developed countries | | | | and rapid pulse. About 50% of patients have red, |
| Graves' Disease is a type of autoimmune disease that | | | | watery, bulging eyes (the actor Marty Feldman had a |
| causes over-activity of the thyroid gland, causing | | | | severe case). |
| hyperthyroidism. This over-activity is also sometimes | | | | How is Graves' disease treated? |
| called "toxic diffuse goiter." The thyroid gland helps set | | | | Radioactive iodine (I-131), which destroys part or all of |
| the rate of metabolism, which is the rate at which the | | | | the thyroid gland and renders it incapable of |
| body uses energy. When the thyroid is too active, it | | | | overproducing thyroid hormone; or |
| makes more thyroid hormones than the body needs. | | | | Subtotal thyroidectomy, in which a surgeon removes |
| High levels of thyroid hormones can cause side | | | | most of the thyroid gland and renders it incapable of |
| effects such as weight loss, rapid heart rate and | | | | overproducing thyroid hormone. |
| nervousness. | | | | Beta blockers. These medications, which include |
| Causes of Graves Disease | | | | propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol |
| Graves disease is the most common cause of | | | | (Lopressor) and nadolol (Corgard), often relieve |
| hyperthyroidism. The production of thyroid hormone is | | | | hyperthyroid signs and symptoms, such as a rapid |
| increased, causing a wide range of symptoms from | | | | heart rate, nervousness and tremors. These |
| anxiety and restlessness to insomnia and weight loss. | | | | medications aren't a cure for Graves' because your |
| In addition, the eyeballs may begin to stick out | | | | body will still produce too much thyroxine, but beta |
| (exophthalmos), causing eye irritation and tearing.In | | | | blockers block some of the action of the thyroid |
| Graves' disease, your immune system mistakenly | | | | hormone. Beta blockers are often used in conjunction |
| attacks your thyroid gland, but instead of destroying | | | | with other forms of treatment.Anithyroid Drugs (ATD's) |
| the gland, an antibody called thyrotropin receptor | | | | This is the route that I chose. The drugs inclue |
| antibody (TRAb) stimulates the thyroid to make | | | | Methimazole, and PTU. I chose PTU. These |
| excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. | | | | medications stop the thyroid from overproducing |
| Doctors aren't sure what triggers this problem, but they | | | | hormones, it's the excess of hormone that's causing |
| do know that the immune system is involved. In | | | | the thyrotoxicosis. |
| Grave's disease patients, they find antibodies | | | | |