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.
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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