"My doctor said I have Graves' Disease. What are my treatment options?" This is a question that is often asked of the National Graves' Disease Foundation (NGDF). The NGDF is a non-profit organization that strives to provide patient support and education on Graves' disease and its treatments. Treatments for Graves' disease include antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioactive iodine therapy (R-131), and thyroidectomy (surgical removal of the thyroid gland). Once it is diagnosed, treatment for Graves' disease is fairly straightforward. Ideally, doctors assess patients to determine the best treatment options. Together, doctor and patient decide upon a treatment plan and treatment begins.

Unfortunately, all too often a patient has never heard of Graves' disease before diagnosis. Many patients are not told of all the treatment options available to them or how Graves' disease may affect them. Every year, the NGDF receives literally thousands of requests for information on treatment options and the effects of Graves' disease, for which Dr. Donnica wrote the introduction. To read Dr. Donnica's introduction, click here.

The NGDF was founded to provide education and support to the patient, their families and the medical community. The NGDF operates a bulletin board where patients, family members, and the medical community can post questions and provide support to others on the site. Since the beginning of the year 2000, the NGDF bulletin board has had four million posts a year. Medical diagnosis is not provided nor are any tests interpreted. What is provided is a place for people affected by Graves' disease to find others in similar situations. Patients find they are not alone and that there is comfort in talking to others.

For the past six years the NGDF has heard the same questions asked almost daily: Why me? What now? Is this Graves'-related? Will my eyes be affected? Will I be able to have a child? My doctor said radioactive iodine therapy is the way to go. Are there any other options?

To help answer these questions and provide information that is easy to understand, the NGDF has sponsored a book written by its Executive Director, Nancy Patterson, Ph.D. and the facilitator of the NGDF bulletin board, Jake George. The book is called "Graves' Disease, In Our Own Words." It is written in plain language, and is in part a compilation of answers to the questions asked over the past six years. It also defines Graves' disease, its treatment options, and symptoms, and provides tips for living with Graves' disease.

A person is considered hyperthyroid if they produce too much thyroid hormone. Since Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease, we cannot stop the thyroid from being attacked by thyroid antibodies, but we can slow down the production of the hormone with antithyroid drugs or radioactive iodine therapy. A thyroidectomy may also be done to remove part or most of the thyroid to reduce hormone output.

Antithyroid Drugs (ATDs)

ATDs should be considered as the first course of treatment. They disrupt the thyroid's ability to make thyroid hormone. This reduces the amount of thyroid hormone in our bodies and lets us achieve a state of balance. Remission rates for people using ATDs are between 30 and 50%. Those with earlier diagnosis seem to do better with remission than those who aren't diagnosed until the disease has progressed. There can be extenuating circumstances as to why certain people may not be able to use ATDs and this should be discussed at length with a physician.

Radioactive Iodine (I-131)

I-131 has been used for over sixty years, and extensive studies show that it is a safe and effective treatment for Graves' disease. A radioactive iodine isotope is taken by mouth either as a pill or a liquid. The thyroid absorbs the radioactive iodine and what is not absorbed is excreted in the urine. The I-131 works by killing off the thyroid tissue that is overproducing the hormone. A replacement thyroid hormone is often needed and must be taken throughout a patient's life.

Thyroidectomy

Thyroidectomy is a form of surgery that removes part or most of the thyroid gland. The removal of all or part of the gland reduces the amount of thyroid hormone produced. In some cases the patient does not need to take any replacement hormone and is considered to be euthyroid (hormones are in balance and in the normal ranges on blood tests). However, doctors usually remove most of the thyroid gland and as with I-131 treatment, they will need to take a replacement hormone for life.

Graves Disease, In Our Own Words

The book is written in simple language and explains what Graves' disease is, how it is treated, how our thyroid levels are kept in balance and how it affects many of us in our day-to-day lives. It is a look into the lives of people with Graves' disease. It shows the patient that Graves' is treatable and life can return to normal. It addresses peoples' concerns, fears and hopes and provides stories of patients in all phases of treatment, from the newly diagnosed to those who have had Graves' disease for over fifty years.

Click here to order the book, Graves' Disease, In Our Own Words.

Click here for more information about thyroid disease.

Click here for more information about the National Graves' Disease Foundation.

Created: 7/16/2002  -  Jake George and Nancy Hord-Patterson, AR
Reviewed: 7/26/2002  -  Dr. Donnica Moore