Graves’ Disease – Symptoms And Causes

Graves’ Disease – Symptoms And Causes

Etiology, clinical picture, and treatment of Grave’s disease.

Answer.

Grave’s disease Etiology

Grave’s disease is an autoimmune disease caused by production of autoantibodies that stimulate thyroid stimulating hormone receptor.

“Symptoms Of Graves’ Disease In Women”

Grave’s disease Clinical Features

• There is presence of diffused goiter which is with or without bruit.
• Fever, anxiety and restlessness are present.
• There is weight loss, fatigue, sweating and heat intolerance.
• Cardiovascular features:
  • Tachycardia is present which persists during sleep.
  • Large pulse pressure is present with raised systolic blood pressure.
  • Cardiac arrhythmias are present.
  • Capillary pulsations may be seen.

“Risk Factors For Developing Graves’ Disease”

• Ocular manifestations:
  • Primary manifestations: Proptosis, exophthalmos and ophthalmoplegia.
  • Secondary manifestations: Optic nerve compression,impaired convergence and exposure keratitis.
• Gastrointestinal: Weight loss, diarrhea and vomiting.
• Reproductive system: Oligomenorrhea and infertility.

“Treating Graves’ Disease In Elderly Patients”

Grave’s disease Management

• General
  • Allow the patient to take mental and physical rest.
  • Maintain nutrition of patient by giving nutritious diet.
  • Ifpatientisanxiousalprazolam0.25to0.5mgBDisgiven.
  • Most of the patients of thyrotoxicosis are fearful because ofincreased sympathetic activity. In such type of patient propranolol 40–80 mg BD is given.

“Recovery Process After Graves’ Disease Treatment”

• Drug therapy:
  • Carbimazole is commonly used drug. It is started with 30 mg/day, adjustment of doses is made when patient come under control and maintenance dose is given,i.e. 10–20 mg/day.
  • Potassium per chlorate 800 mg/day in divided doses is given and the dose is reduced with improvement in patient’s condition.
  • Iodides are given, i.e. sodium or potassium iodide 6 to 10 mg/day.
• Surgery: The commonly performed surgery is subtotal thyroidectomy, prior surgery anti-thyroids are given to make patient euthyroid. Potassium iodide 50–100 mg/day is given for 10–14 days.
• Radioiodine treatment
  I131 is used and average effctive dose is 8–10 millicuries.