How is Graves' disease treated ?

The treatment of Graves' disease mainly includes four aspects: antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine therapy, surgical treatment, and other treatments. The specific treatment plan should be individualized based on the age, condition, and other factors of the patient.

1.Antithyroid drugs: These drugs inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones to reduce their production and alleviate symptoms. Commonly used drugs include propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole.

2.Radioactive iodine therapy: This method destroys thyroid tissue by taking in orally or intravenously radioactive iodine, thereby reducing the production of hormones. It is usually used for cases where antithyroid drug treatment fails or relapses.

3.Surgical treatment: For patients with severe conditions, recurrent or refractory cases, and significant thyroid enlargement or nodules, surgical treatment may be considered to remove partial or total thyroid tissue.

4.Other treatments: These include reducing iodine intake and using β-blockers for symptomatic relief. For thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, high-dose intravenous glucocorticoids can be used as a first-line therapy. For severe and active Graves' ophthalmopathy, the B-cell lymphoma 2 inhibitor, rituximab, can be used as a second-line treatment, and the anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, tocilizumab, can be used as a third-line treatment.

It should be noted that the above treatment plans should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor. Do not self-diagnose and use without proper guidance. At the same time, regular follow-up visits and assessments should be made to adjust the treatment plan and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.