open access

Vol 18, No 2 (2015)
Review paper
Submitted: 2015-07-31
Accepted: 2015-07-31
Published online: 2015-07-31
Get Citation

Diagnosis and treatment of Graves’ disease with particular emphasis on appropriate techniques in nuclear medicine. General state of knowledge

Karolina Prasek, Maria Teresa Płazińska, Leszek Królicki
DOI: 10.5603/NMR.2015.0026
·
Pubmed: 26315874
·
Nucl. Med. Rev 2015;18(2):110-116.

open access

Vol 18, No 2 (2015)
Reviews
Submitted: 2015-07-31
Accepted: 2015-07-31
Published online: 2015-07-31

Abstract

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease. It accounts for 50–80% of cases of hyperthyroidism. Antibodies against the TSH receptor (TRAb) are responsible for hyperthyroidism (TRAB). The key role in monitoring and diagnosis of Graves’ disease plays the level of hormones of free thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Helpful is an ultrasound of the thyroid scintigraphy which due to its functional character is both a valuable addition to morphological studies as well as plays an important role in the diagnosis and therapy in patients with Graves’ disease. There is no perfect treatment for Graves’ disease. The reason for this is the lack of therapy directed against primary pathogenic mechanisms. Currently available treatments need to be thoroughly discussed during the first visit as the patient’s understanding of the choice of a treatment constitutes a vital role in the success of therapy. Graves’ disease treatment is based on three types of therapies that have been carried out for decades including: pharmacological treatment anti-thyroid drugs, I131 therapy and radical treatment — thyroidectomy. The purpose of the treatment is to control symptoms and patient to return to euthyreosis. Treatment of Graves’ disease is of great importance because if left untreated, it can lead to long-term harmful effects on the heart, bone and mental well-being of patients.

Abstract

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease. It accounts for 50–80% of cases of hyperthyroidism. Antibodies against the TSH receptor (TRAb) are responsible for hyperthyroidism (TRAB). The key role in monitoring and diagnosis of Graves’ disease plays the level of hormones of free thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Helpful is an ultrasound of the thyroid scintigraphy which due to its functional character is both a valuable addition to morphological studies as well as plays an important role in the diagnosis and therapy in patients with Graves’ disease. There is no perfect treatment for Graves’ disease. The reason for this is the lack of therapy directed against primary pathogenic mechanisms. Currently available treatments need to be thoroughly discussed during the first visit as the patient’s understanding of the choice of a treatment constitutes a vital role in the success of therapy. Graves’ disease treatment is based on three types of therapies that have been carried out for decades including: pharmacological treatment anti-thyroid drugs, I131 therapy and radical treatment — thyroidectomy. The purpose of the treatment is to control symptoms and patient to return to euthyreosis. Treatment of Graves’ disease is of great importance because if left untreated, it can lead to long-term harmful effects on the heart, bone and mental well-being of patients.

Get Citation

Keywords

Graves’ disease

About this article
Title

Diagnosis and treatment of Graves’ disease with particular emphasis on appropriate techniques in nuclear medicine. General state of knowledge

Journal

Nuclear Medicine Review

Issue

Vol 18, No 2 (2015)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

110-116

Published online

2015-07-31

Page views

3996

Article views/downloads

6770

DOI

10.5603/NMR.2015.0026

Pubmed

26315874

Bibliographic record

Nucl. Med. Rev 2015;18(2):110-116.

Keywords

Graves’ disease

Authors

Karolina Prasek
Maria Teresa Płazińska
Leszek Królicki

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