[Treatment of hyperthyroidism]

The pathogenic mechanisms of Basedow Graves disease are not well known. Therefore there is not a unique therapy for it. It occurs at any age, but is most frequently seen in women from 20 to 50 years old. Three types of treatments are currently used. Antithyroid drugs efficiently abate initial symptoms, but relapses are frequent after discontinuing the therapy. Approximately 2% of patients have complications with the use of propylthiouracil. The second therapy is radioiodine that, in adequate doses, causes a partial or complete destruction of the gland. Most patients will require lifelong substitution therapy with thyroid hormones. When radioiodine cannot be used, surgical excision of the gland is the third form of therapy. There are also surgical complications and a high number of patients will also require substitution therapy. Choice of the type of treatment will depend on age of the patient, severity of the disease and other conditions, but the physician must discuss the choices with the patient.