| Abstract | Graves' disease is the most frequent cause of hyperthyroidism. Clinical thyrotoxicosis is directly caused by autoantibodies that activate the TSH receptor. The etiology is multifactorial, with genetic and nongenetic factors involved. Current treatment options are antithyroid drugs (ATD), radioiodine (131I) and surgery. Radioactive iodine is increasingly being used as definitive therapy, because it long has proven to be a safe, nonexpensive and effective treatment. Recent publications have discussed the use of 131I associated with ATD as well as the identification of predictors of treatment failure, which are discussed in this review. Antithyroid drugs are still the first choice therapy in patients with mild disease, small goiters, children, adolescents, and in pregnancy. Surgery is now rarely performed. It is indicated only in cases where ATD have not been effective and radioiodine is contraindicated or not acceptable by the patients. |
| Authors | Vânia A Andrade, Jorge Luiz Gross, Ana Luiza Maia
(Affiliation: Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS.)
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| Journal | Arquivos brasileiros de endocrinologia e metabologia
(Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol)
Vol. 48
Issue 1
Pg. 159-65
(Feb 2004)
ISSN: 0004-2730 Brazil |
| Vernacular Title | Iodo radioativo no manejo do hipertireoidismo da doença de Graves. |
| PMID | 15611828
(Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)
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| Chemical References |
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| Topics |
- Graves Disease
(complications)
- Humans
- Hyperthyroidism
(etiology, radiotherapy)
- Iodine Radioisotopes
(therapeutic use)
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