Graves’ disease is treated by targeting the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, Graves' ophthalmopathy and Graves' dermopathy.
Hyperthyroidism is typically managed with medication, radioiodine therapy, or thyroid surgery to relieve the symptoms and correct the thyrotoxic state (Graves’ Disease, 2022).
Beta-blockers
Used for symptomatic patients with symptoms of high heart rate that are over 90 beats/min, cardiovascular disease, and elderly patients. It helps control symptoms via rapid heartbeat regulation and heart protection by blocking the effects of catecholamines on beta-receptors (Geffner & Hershman, 1992), but they do not block thyroid hormone production (Graves’ Disease: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, n.d.).
Antithyroid Medications
Methimazole and propylthiouracil may relieve symptoms momentarily but do not provide a long-term cure for Graves' disease. It reduces thyroid hormone output from the thyroid gland by inhibiting the formation of thyroid hormone.
Radioiodine Therapy
Usual and efficient treatment for hyperthyroidism. For two to three months of treatment, radioiodine therapy gradually and specifically kills the thyroid cells that produce thyroid hormone, subjecting the thyroid gland to atrophy and eventually lowering thyroid hormone levels.
Thyroid Surgery
A surgical procedure that involves removing all or part of the thyroid gland (Graves’ Disease: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, n.d.). Surgery may be advised when drugs and radioactive iodine are not suitable or effective in treating the condition. Thyroid hormone level will go back to normal after removing the thyroid gland. However, it is not recommended to treat hyperthyroidism because the removal of the thyroid gland may lead to the development of hypothyroidism which has to be controlled by taking thyroid hormone medication (Graves’ Disease, 2022).
Rarely, those who have Graves' illness may also develop complications including Grave's orbitopathy, which affects the eyes, or heart concerns. These consequences can be reduced with careful treatment and prompt medical care.
The use of estrogen has been found to protect against the development of thyroid antibodies, thus preventing Graves’ (Wiersinga, 2016).
After treatment, patients with Graves' disease need ongoing monitoring and may also need thyroid hormone replacement medication if their condition worsens and they experience hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid.