Graves’ disease (GD) is the most common cause of endogenous hyperthyroidism. Remission with medical therapy ranges from 20% to 60% after 1 to 2 years of treatment.1 Definitive treatment options include radioactive iodine (RAI) and thyroidectomy, with the latter associated with complications of surgery and general anaesthesia. As such, the preferred mode of definitive therapy in uncomplicated GD is RAI.2 The goal of RAI in GD is to render the patient hypothyroid or euthyroid. Ideally, 1 dose of RAI should achieve this goal in a predictable manner to allow timely initiation of thyroxine and to minimise symptoms associated with prolonged hypothyroidism. In most instances, post-RAI treatment hypothyroidism occurs from 4 weeks after treatment, most commonly between 2 to 6 months post-treatment.
This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.
