J Korean Med Assoc.  2018 Apr;61(4):248-252. 10.5124/jkma.2018.61.4.248.

Treatment of relapsed hyperthyroidism

• Chung JH

• KMID: 2409044
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2018.61.4.248

Abstract

Graves disease is the most common disease that causes hyperthyroidism. It is an autoimmune disease characterized by the overproduction of thyroid hormones due to continuous stimulation of the thyroid gland by thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody. Therapeutic modalities for Graves disease include antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioactive iodine, and thyroidectomy. ATDs are the most preferred therapeutic option by physicians in most countries except North America. However, current treatment strategies are unfortunately aimed at inhibiting thyroid hormone production or ablating the thyroid to induce permanent hypothyroidism, not at inhibiting thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody. ATD therapy has a high relapse rate (more than 50%), and morbidity and mortality increase in cases of relapse. Therefore, the proper and prompt management of relapsed patients is very important.

Keyword

Hyperthyroidism; Recurrence; Antithyroid agents; Iodine radioisotopes; Thyroidectomy

MeSH Terms

Antithyroid Agents
Autoimmune Diseases
Graves Disease
Humans
Hyperthyroidism*
Hypothyroidism
Iodine
Iodine Radioisotopes
Mortality
North America
Recurrence
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Hormones
Thyroidectomy
Thyrotropin
Antithyroid Agents
Iodine
Iodine Radioisotopes
Thyroid Hormones
Thyrotropin

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