Definition
Graves' Disease - Basedow (or widespread toxic goiter) is a disorder of the immune system in which there is an overproduction of thyroid hormones, a consequence of the hyperactivity of the thyroid gland. Not by chance, Graves' Disease - Basedow ranks among the very first places among the causes that trigger hyperthyroidism.
Causes
Graves' Disease - Basedow originates from an alteration of the immune system; more specifically, the syndrome is caused by the presence of an antibody within the bloodstream, which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones in an uncontrolled and exaggerated manner.
Symptoms
Graves' Disease - Basedow does not begin with a precise symptomatology; in fact the typical prodromes of the initial stage are blurred and have psychological origin (alteration of mood, difficulty in falling asleep, irritability, etc.). Other signs include: alopecia, arrhythmia, decreased sexual desire, weakness, diarrhea, weight loss, goiter (typical sign), osteoporosis, intense thirst, sweating, tachycardia, tremor.
Information on Graves 'Diseases - Basedow - Drugs for the Treatment of Graves' Disease is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Graves 'Disease - Basedow - Drugs for the Treatment of Graves' Disease.
drugs
Although vague and non-specific, the symptoms that accompany the onset of Graves' Disease - Basedow are generally of psychic origin: difficulty falling asleep, restlessness, irritability, anxiety syndrome, etc. From the above it is clear the difficulty in interpreting the symptoms, and it is precisely for this reason that the disease is often diagnosed late.
As soon as the disease is ascertained, the patient must be subjected to a precise pharmacological or surgical treatment; the choice to follow a therapeutic path rather than another clearly depends on the severity of the disease and the degree of progression of the same.
First of all, the goal of therapy is to regulate and control the activity of the thyroid gland with specific drugs such as radioactive iodine and substances with an anti-thyroid action. Furthermore, we have seen that Graves' Disease - Basedow is often accompanied by disorders of a psychic nature; consequently the patient can also be treated with drugs able to control these prodromes: for this purpose propanolol is generally prescribed, indicated for treating tachycardia, anxiety and sweating.
However the primary objective is to control thyroid activity; treatment for other symptoms is secondary.
- Radioactive iodine (Iodine 131): the drug is taken orally and is a valid aid to reduce the size of the thyroid, causing irreversible damage to the thyroid cells; consequently, the picture derived from hyperthyroidism (as well as from Graves' disease - Basedow) tends to stabilize after a few months of treatment. It is important to emphasize that radium-iodine therapy can cause serious side effects at the ocular level; its use in the event of pre-existing eye problems (eg glaucoma) is not recommended. Excessive doses of iodine 131 can cause the opposite effect, hypothyroidism: in the latter case, the hormonal alteration can be easily controlled by daily intake (and for life) of a drug, Levothyroxine sodium (eg Eutirox ).
Treatment with radioactive iodine can lead to serious side effects such as ophthalmopathy. To treat this probable side effect, the doctor can prescribe artificial tears to be applied during the day and lubricating gel to be applied in the eye during night rest. In the event of severity, corticosteroids (eg prednisone) can reduce swelling. If the disorder persists, the last resort is surgery, which consists of orbital decompression. Consult your doctor.
- Methimazole or Tiamazole (eg Tapazole) class: thionamide, immunosuppressive action. Do not use in pregnancy; the drug could cause problems to the unborn child. 5 mg active tablets are available: the recommended dosage for the treatment of hyperthyroidism in the context of Graves' Disease - Basedow varies from 15 to 60 mg per day, depending on the severity of the disease. It is recommended to take the drug in three divided doses.
- Propylthiouracil (eg Propycil): the drug belongs to the class of thionamides, and performs its therapeutic action as an immunosuppressant. This drug can also be taken before or after radioactive iodine therapy, as a parallel or complementary therapy. The chances of a relapse tend to increase if the drug is used on its own; however, studies show that prolonged intake of this active (12 months) can improve therapeutic results in the long term. This drug can also be taken during pregnancy, unlike the previous one. The drug is not marketed in Italy. Consult your doctor.
Side effects typical of antithyroid drugs: joint pains, rashes, liver failure
- Potassium Perchlorate (Peritroid): another antithyroid drug indicated for the treatment of Graves' Disease - Basedow, to be given by mouth in the form of 200 mg tablets. It is recommended to take a dose of 600-800 mg, equivalent to 3-4 tablets per day, preferably divided into three doses during the 24 hours. The effect of the drug is generally observable after at least 4 weeks of treatment.
- Lithium carbonate (eg Carbolithium, Litio CA FN): particularly indicated for reducing the symptomatology that accompanies Graves' disease - Basedow. The dosage, always established precisely by the doctor, varies from 900 to 1800 mg per day.
- Propanolol (eg. Inderal): it belongs to the class of beta blockers and is used as a completion drug to treat the secondary symptoms given by Graves' disease - Basedow; in particular, its use is recommended to treat anxiety and heart problems. The drug is available as 40 mg tablets of propanolol or 80 mg of slow-release propanolol. Consult your doctor: only a specialist can accurately determine the most suitable posology for treating Graves' disease - Basedow.
