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Review
. 2013 Oct;17(Suppl 1):S88-92.
doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.119513.

Indefinite antithyroid drug therapy in toxic Graves' disease: What are the cons

Rajesh Rajput  1 , Vasudha Goel
Affiliations
Review

Indefinite antithyroid drug therapy in toxic Graves' disease: What are the cons

Rajesh Rajput et al. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Oct.

Abstract

Existing treatment modalities for Graves' disease includes antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioactive iodine, and surgery. There has been a lack of general agreement as to which therapy is the best as none is ideal since all effectively restore euthyroidism, but with some limitations. Previously, therapies were selected with the goal of achieving euthyroidism. Instead, hypothyroidism is now the goal of treatment, to ensure that hyperthyroidism does not recur. Current evidences suggest that high relapse rate and not so rare fatal side effects seen with ATD therapy compel one to consider other definite modes of treatment like radiotherapy and surgery for toxic Graves' disease after discussing this with the patient.

Keywords: Antithyroid drugs; definitive therapy; graves’ disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared

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