Management of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease: frequently asked questions and answers (if any).
Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in iodine-replete areas. Although progress has been made in our understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease, no treatment targeting pathogenic mechanisms of the disease is presently available. Therapies for Graves' hyperthyroidism are largely imperfect because they are bound to either a high rate of relapsing hyperthyroidism (antithyroid drugs) or lifelong hypothyroidism (radioiodine treatment or thyroidectomy). Aim of the present article is to offer a practical guidance to the reader by providing evidence-based answers to frequently asked questions in clinical practice.
Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Ospedale di Circolo, University of Insubria, Viale Borri, 57, Varese, Italy. luigi.bartalena@uninsubria.it.
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Bartalena
Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
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Chiovato
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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D019468:Disease Management; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
Agranulocytosis; Alemtuzumab; Childhood; Graves’ disease; Graves’ orbitopathy; Hyperthyroidism; Methimazole; Pregnancy; Propylthiouracil; Radioiodine; Thionamides; Thyroidectomy