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.
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
MediFocus.com understands that consumers
who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical
information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've
developed the MediFocus Guides...the
most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and
life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus
Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information
about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments;
excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing
on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and
medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing
of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information
about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect
solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical
issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information
that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in
the clinical decision making process. Medifocus:
Medical Information You Can Trust
