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Hyperthyroidism in Graves disease. Current trends in management and diagnosis

Journal Article · · Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States)
The radioimmunoassay for T/sub 3/ is now widely available and is a useful diagnostic tool for hyperthyroidism, especially in T/sub 3/-thyrotoxicosis. It is an essential tool in the management of hyperthyroidism that persists after treatment with normal T/sub 4/ serum levels or, in euthyroid cases, with low T/sub 4/ serum levels. In these conditions, it reflects the metabolic state more accurately than serum levels of T/sub 4/. A promising new test is the response of radioimmunoassayable TSH to protirelin relin (TRH) administration. An absent response indicates pituitary suppression and thyroid autonomy as seen in frank hyperthyroidism or euthyroid Graves disease, treated or untreated. It is safer and quicker than the conventional T/sub 3/ suppression test of thyroid radioactive iodine uptake and may replace it at least partly in the future. The recently recognized sharp decline in the remission rate of patients subjected to thyroid drug therapy in the last decade has made this treatment much less efficacious. By necessity, it will probably lead to greater reliance on treatment with radioactive iodine in the majority of the patients with the hyperthyroidism of Graves disease.
Research Organization:
Washington Univ., St. Louis
OSTI ID:
7118426
Journal Information:
Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States) Vol. 136:6; ISSN AIMDA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English