Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a clinically dramatic but usually benign syndrome that is most commonly associated with the clinical triad known as Graves' disease. Although the diagnosis and treatment usually are straightforward and clinically rewarding, there are occasional patients in whom considerable clinical and laboratory expertise are required before the problem is identified and solved. Although among the most common endocrine disorders, the etiology of the hyperfunction of the thyroid gland in Graves' disease remains unknown and the mechanism by which thyroid hormones produce their effect is equally obscure. However, if the rate of progress in the past decade is typical, both these questions may well be answered before another 10 years have elapsed.