Hyperthyroidism, also called thyrotoxicosis, results when the body's tissues are exposed to excessive levels of thyroid hormone. This condition can be caused by several different disorders. Graves' Disease (GD) is the most common form of hyperthyroidism in persons who are not taking thyroid hormones.

Graves' Disease is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that there is a defect in the immune system, causing production of immunoglobulins (antibodies) which stimulate and attack the thyroid gland, causing growth of the gland and overproduction of thyroid hormone. Antibodies also attack tissues in the eye muscles and in the skin on the front of the lower legs (tibial areas).

The choice of treatment modality is based on symptoms, individual preference, and the experience of the health care provider. Many of the treatment modalities for Graves' Disease render the thyroid gland non-functional and lifetime replacement of thyroid hormone by pill is required.

Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide

The Medifocus Guide on Graves' Disease provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:

• What are the most common symptoms of Graves' Disease?
  
• Are there any recognized risk factors for developing Graves' Disease?
  
• What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of Graves' Disease?
  
• What is the current standard of care for the treatment of Graves' Disease?
  
• What treatment options are available for the management of Graves' Disease?
  
• Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?
  
• Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in Graves' Disease?
  
• Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for Graves' Disease?
  
• What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about Graves' Disease?
  

What Your Doctor Reads:

This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:

• (131)I and thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.
  European Journal of Endocrinology. 2000
• Management of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' and nodular diseases.
  World Journal of Surgery. 2000
• Management of Graves' ophthalmopathy: reality and perspectives.
  Endocrine Reviews. 2000
• Grey scale thyroid ultrasonography in the evaluation of patients with Graves' disease.
  European Journal of Endocrinology. 2000
• Special features of Graves' disease in early childhood.
  Thyroid. 1999
• Medical treatment of thyroid-associated orbitopathy.
  Experimental & Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes. 1999
• Risk of smoking in thyroid-associated orbitopathy.
  Experimental & Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes. 1999
• The many 'faces' of Graves' disease. Part 2. Practical diagnostic testing and management options.
  Postgraduate Medicine. 1999
• The many 'faces' of Graves' disease. Part 1. Eyes, pulse, skin, and neck provide important clues to diagnosis.
  Postgraduate Medicine. 1999
• Controversies in the management of Graves' disease.
  Clinical Endocrinology. 1998

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