Graves' Disease

Genetic Factors

• Family History: A positive family history is a significant risk factor. The condition is more prevalent among monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins, highlighting a genetic component.
• Polygenic Inheritance: Unlike single-gene disorders, Graves' disease involves multiple genetic loci. Genes associated with immune regulation, such as HLA-DRB116:02, have been implicated.
• Shared Susceptibility Genes: There is overlap in genetic susceptibility between Graves' disease and other autoimmune thyroid conditions, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
• Concordance Studies: Monozygotic twins show higher concordance rates compared to dizygotic twins, underscoring a genetic predisposition.

Environmental Factor

• Smoking: Smoking is a significant risk factor, particularly for the development of Graves' orbitopathy, a common extrathyroidal manifestation.
• Stress: Physical or emotional stress can act as a trigger in genetically predisposed individuals.
• Iodine Exposure: Excess iodine intake, through dietary supplements or contrast agents, has been linked to the onset of Graves' disease.
• Infections: Certain infections, including viral and bacterial pathogens, may play a role by triggering molecular mimicry or immune activation.
• Postpartum Period: The postpartum period is associated with immune reconstitution, which may precipitate autoimmune activity in susceptible women.
• Medications: Certain drugs, such as alemtuzumab (used in multiple sclerosis), are associated with the development of Graves' disease. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has also been implicated in cases of immune reconstitution.

Immune Mechanisms

• TSH Receptor Antibodies: TRAb directly stimulate thyroid hormone production and are the primary drivers of hyperthyroidism in Graves' disease.
• Other Thyroid Antibodies: Although antithyroglobulin (Tg) and antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies are commonly present in patients with Graves' disease, they do not directly contribute to hyperthyroidism but serve as markers of thyroid autoimmunity.

Modifying Factors

• Sex: Graves' disease is significantly more common in females, with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 7:1, consistent with most autoimmune conditions.
• Alcohol Consumption: Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of developing Graves' disease, though the mechanism remains unclear.

Immunological Mechanisms

TSH Receptor Autoantibodies (TRAbs)

• TRAbs are predominantly immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) subclass antibodies.
• They bind to the TSH receptor on thyroid follicular cells, triggering cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated pathways, which stimulate thyroid hormone synthesis, iodine uptake, and cellular growth.
• These autoantibodies are oligoclonal, suggesting a direct role in disease causation.

Lymphocyte Activity

• B lymphocytes, stimulated by antigen-presenting T lymphocytes, synthesise TSIs primarily in the thyroid, lymph nodes, and bone marrow.
• T cells (CD4+ and CD8+) play a role in the autoimmune cascade by releasing cytokines that promote B-cell activation and antibody production.

Other Thyroid Antigens

• While antibodies to thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) are present in Graves' disease, they do not directly contribute to hyperthyroidism but serve as markers of thyroid autoimmunity.
• Anti-sodium-iodide symporter antibodies, although present, are not central to the disease’s pathophysiology.

Extrathyroidal Manifestations

Orbitopathy

• Inflammation, cellular proliferation, and glycosaminoglycan deposition in orbital tissues lead to proptosis, diplopia, and periorbital oedema.
• Fibroblasts in orbital tissues express TSH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors, which are activated by TRAbs and IGF-1, respectively.
• The resulting tissue expansion may impair venous return, causing optic nerve compression in severe cases.

Dermopathy and Acropachy

• Pretibial myxoedema results from fibroblast activation and glycosaminoglycan accumulation, presenting as non-pitting oedema.
• Thyroid acropachy, though rare, involves subperiosteal new bone formation and digital clubbing.

Environmental and Genetic Triggers

Environmental Factors

• Viral infections (e.g., enteroviruses, SARS-CoV-2) and smoking are significant triggers.
• Iodine excess and stress can exacerbate autoimmune responses in genetically predisposed individuals.
• Pregnancy and postpartum immune reconstitution are common triggers.

Genetic Susceptibility

• Genes implicated include HLA-DRB1, CTLA-4, TSH receptor (TSHR), and FOXP3.
• Genome-wide association studies have identified loci like the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and RNASET2-FGFR1OP-CCR6 as contributors.

Pathogenesis in Thyroid Tissue

Histological Features

• Follicular hyperplasia, colloid scalloping, and lymphocytic infiltration are characteristic findings.
• Increased expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules on thyroid epithelial cells facilitates antigen presentation to T cells, perpetuating autoimmunity.

Epigenetic and Microbiota Contributions

• MicroRNAs, such as miR-23a-3p, and long non-coding RNAs disrupt Th17/Treg balance, amplifying immune dysregulation.
• Alterations in gut microbiota, such as reduced Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus populations, are associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin Effects

• TRAbs increase the activity of the sodium-iodide symporter and protein synthesis pathways, leading to enhanced thyroid hormone production and gland hypertrophy.

Systemic Effects

Hyperthyroid Symptoms

• Increased catecholamine sensitivity underlies symptoms like tachycardia, tremors, and sweating.
• Long-term hyperthyroidism contributes to bone loss, muscle wasting, and cardiac complications, including atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy.

Immune-Mediated Damage

• Chronic stimulation of TSH receptors leads to thyroid tissue remodelling and, in severe cases, fibrosis.

Prevalence and Incidence

• Global Prevalence: The prevalence of hyperthyroidism varies depending on iodine sufficiency. In iodine-sufficient regions, overt hyperthyroidism affects approximately 0.2% to 1.3% of the population.
• United States: The overall prevalence of hyperthyroidism is approximately 1.2%, with an annual incidence of 20–50 cases per 100,000 individuals. Maternal thyrotoxicosis occurs in roughly 1 in 500 pregnancies, with Graves' disease being the most common cause.
• United Kingdom: The incidence of Graves' disease is reported at 100–200 cases per 100,000 individuals annually. Among women, the incidence is approximately 80 per 100,000 annually.
• Demographic Variations: Studies suggest higher incidence rates among black and Asian/Pacific Islander populations compared to white populations.

Risk Factors

Sex

• Graves' disease is significantly more common in women, with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 7–8:1.
• Pretibial myxoedema shows a female-to-male ratio of 3.5:1, while thyroid acropachy affects both sexes equally.

Age

• Most cases occur between 30 and 50 years of age, though it can present in any age group. Pediatric cases are rare but documented.

Genetic and Ethnic Factors

• Susceptibility genes include those in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region on chromosome 6. HLA haplotypes vary across ethnicities, influencing disease prevalence.

Environmental Triggers

• Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing Graves' orbitopathy.
• Iodine deficiency or excess plays a key role in the regional variation of hyperthyroidism aetiology.

Extrathyroidal Manifestations

• Around 25% of patients with Graves' disease develop clinical orbitopathy, with higher prevalence in smokers and older age groups.
• Pretibial myxoedema occurs in 4–12% of patients with orbitopathy, while severe thyroid acropachy is rare but disabling.

Mortality and Morbidity

• Untreated Graves' disease can lead to severe thyrotoxicosis, including thyroid storm, which historically had a near-100% mortality rate. With modern management, this has decreased to approximately 20%.
• Long-term thyrotoxicosis contributes to significant complications:
  • Bone Health: Accelerated bone loss, osteoporosis, and fractures, particularly in postmenopausal women, due to increased bone resorption.
  • Cardiac Health: Arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure are common, particularly in older adults.
  • Neurological and Psychiatric Symptoms: Cognitive dysfunction, mood disorders, and an increased risk of dementia have been reported.
  • Dermopathy and Acropachy: Nonpitting oedema and digital clubbing, while rare, can severely impair functionality.

Special Populations

• Pregnancy: Maternal Graves' disease can lead to neonatal hyperthyroidism through transplacental transfer of thyroid-stimulating antibodies. This affects 1–5% of infants of mothers with Graves' disease.
• Elderly: Older adults may present with atypical symptoms, such as weight loss or cardiac issues, rather than classical hyperthyroid features.

Typical Presentations

Hyperthyroid Symptoms

• Common symptoms include heat intolerance, sweating, fatigue, weight loss, palpitations, and tremors.
• Neuromuscular symptoms such as muscle weakness, hyperkinesia, and dyspnea may occur.
• In women, menstrual irregularities such as oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea are frequent, while men may report loss of libido or gynecomastia.
• Eye-related symptoms include lid swelling, ocular pain, conjunctival redness, and double vision.

Atypical Presentations

• Elderly Patients: Symptoms may be subtle, often presenting as unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or new-onset atrial fibrillation, termed "apathetic thyrotoxicosis."
• Younger Adults: More commonly present with pronounced symptoms such as hyperdefecation, insomnia, nervousness, or irritability.
• Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis: Sudden episodes of muscle paralysis, particularly in Southeast Asian males, linked to hypokalemia and calcium channel gene polymorphisms.

Euthyroid Graves' Disease

• A subset of patients presents without biochemical hyperthyroidism but displays extrathyroidal manifestations like orbitopathy or dermopathy.

Risk Factors Identified in History

Triggers

• History of trauma to the thyroid (e.g., surgery, ethanol injection, adenoma infarction).
• Use of immune-modulating therapies such as interferon, immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., anti–CTLA-4, anti–PD-1), and IL-4.
• Recent radioiodine therapy for benign goiters or other thyroid conditions.

Autoimmune and Genetic Predisposition

• Family history of autoimmune thyroid disease increases risk significantly.
• Female sex is a major risk factor, with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 6:1.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

• Smoking is strongly linked to both the development of Graves' disease and the severity of orbitopathy.
• High iodine intake or iodine repletion in previously deficient areas may act as a trigger.
• Psychological or physical stress is often reported as a precipitant.

Systems-Based Symptomatology

• General: Fatigue and generalized weakness.
• Dermatologic: Sweating, warm skin, alopecia, vitiligo, pretibial myxoedema (rare).
• Neuromuscular: Proximal muscle weakness, tremors, and periodic paralysis in susceptible populations.
• Gastrointestinal: Increased bowel motility and hyperdefecation.
• Ophthalmologic: Protruding eyes, tearing, photophobia, and diplopia, sometimes progressing to vision loss.
• Cardiovascular: Tachycardia, palpitations, dyspnea on exertion, and atrial fibrillation.
• Endocrine: Menstrual irregularities, gynecomastia, and heat intolerance.
• Psychiatric: Anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and restlessness.

Rare Associations

Thyroid Orbitopathy

• History of smoking significantly increases the likelihood and severity.
• Rare progression to optic neuropathy causing visual impairment.

Dermopathy and Acropachy

• Pretibial myxoedema occurs in 4-12% of patients with orbitopathy.
• Thyroid acropachy is rare, causing disabling digital clubbing and soft-tissue swelling.

Paraneoplastic and Rare Autoimmune Features

• Association with immunotherapy, e.g., alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis or interferon for hepatitis C.

Diffuse Goiter

• Typically smooth and symmetrically enlarged.
• Thyroid bruits may be heard due to increased vascularity, and thrills may rarely be felt.
• Nodules may occasionally be palpable, warranting differentiation from toxic multinodular goiter or malignancy.

General and Dermatologic Findings

Skin

• Warm, moist, and fine texture with increased sweating.
• Vitiligo and alopecia are common.
• Pretibial myxoedema (thyroid dermopathy) presents as non-pitting oedema with a characteristic orange-peel appearance, primarily over the tibial areas.
• Palmar erythema and onycholysis (Plummer nails) may also be noted.

Hair

• Fine, brittle hair with diffuse thinning.

Neurological and Musculoskeletal Findings

Neurological Signs

• Fine bilateral tremors of the hands.
• Hyperreflexia of deep tendon reflexes.
• Restlessness, irritability, and insomnia.

Muscle Strength

• Proximal muscle weakness is commonly noted, affecting activities like climbing stairs or lifting objects.

Skeletal Changes

• Rare cases of thyroid acropachy (clubbing of fingers and toes) and subperiosteal bone formation are observed in long-standing cases.

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Findings

Cardiovascular System

• Tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and irregular rhythms are hallmark findings.
• Hyperdynamic precordium, systolic hypertension with widened pulse pressure, and signs of heart failure (S3 or S4 heart sounds, jugular venous distension, peripheral oedema) may be present.
• Murmurs and ectopic beats may also be noted.

Respiratory System

• Tachypnea and dyspnea on exertion.

Ophthalmologic Findings

Common Signs

• Eyelid retraction, lid lag, periorbital oedema, and proptosis (forward protrusion of the eyes).
• Conjunctival injection and chemosis.
• Impairment of extraocular motion, diplopia, and visual disturbances.

Severe Cases

• Exposure keratitis, corneal ulceration, or optic neuropathy may lead to vision loss.

Gastrointestinal Findings

• Hyperactive bowel sounds may correlate with increased bowel motility, commonly presenting as diarrhea or frequent stools.

Rare and Atypical Findings

Onycholysis and Acropachy

• Onycholysis, or detachment of the nails from the nail bed, is a rare but notable finding.
• Acropachy involves soft-tissue swelling and digital clubbing and is almost always associated with severe orbitopathy.

Mental Status Changes

• Agitation, confusion, and other signs of altered mental status may occur in severe hyperthyroidism or thyroid storm.

Laboratory Studies

Thyroid Function Tests

• TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone):
  • Best initial screening test for hyperthyroidism.
  • Suppressed TSH levels (<0.01 mIU/L) are seen in most cases of Graves' disease.
• Free T4 and Free T3:
  • Elevated in hyperthyroid patients. T3 toxicosis may be present when T3 is elevated but T4 is normal.
• T3/T4 Ratio:
  • Elevated in Graves' disease, differentiating it from thyroiditis.

Thyroid Autoantibodies

• TSH Receptor Antibodies (TRAb):
  • Found in >90% of patients; diagnostic for Graves' disease.
  • Particularly useful in pregnancy where radioactive iodine testing is contraindicated.
• Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb) and Antithyroglobulin Antibodies:
  • Supportive markers of autoimmune thyroid disease.
• Anti–Sodium-Iodide Symporter Antibody:
  • Occasionally detected but less commonly used.

Hematological and Biochemical Tests

• CBC with Differential:
  • Baseline testing before initiating antithyroid drugs.
  • May show normocytic anemia, low-normal WBC count with relative lymphocytosis, or thrombocytopenia.
• Liver Function Tests:
  • Necessary to monitor potential hepatotoxicity caused by thioamides.
• Fasting Lipid Profile:
  • May show decreased total cholesterol and triglycerides.
• HbA1c:
  • Graves’ disease may exacerbate diabetes control.

Additional Markers

• Sex Hormone–Binding Globulin and Free Testosterone:
  • Elevated in patients presenting with gynecomastia.
• Collagen XIII Antibodies:
  • High titers are associated with active Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Imaging Studies

Radioactive Iodine Uptake (RAIU) and Scanning

• Increased and diffusely distributed uptake confirms Graves' disease.
• Useful for differentiating Graves’ disease from toxic multinodular goiter or thyroiditis.

Thyroid Ultrasound with Doppler

• Detects thyroid nodules and evaluates gland vascularity.
• Color-flow Doppler may help distinguish Graves' disease (increased flow) from painless thyroiditis (reduced flow).

Orbit Imaging (CT or MRI)

• Essential for evaluating asymmetrical or atypical orbitopathy.
• Detects thickening of extraocular muscles and increased retro-orbital fat.

Thyroid Scintigraphy

• Provides a distribution pattern of radioactive tracer uptake.
• Graves' disease presents with diffuse uptake compared to patchy uptake in toxic multinodular goiter.

Histological Findings

In thyroidectomy specimens, findings include

• Follicular hypertrophy with little colloid.
• Lymphocytic infiltration indicating autoimmunity.

Investigations to Consider

Skin Biopsy

• Occasionally necessary to confirm thyroid dermopathy, especially when orbitopathy is absent.

Advanced Testing in Special Populations

TSH Releasing Hormone (TRH) Stimulation Test

• Rarely used since the advent of third-generation TSH assays.

Additional Autoimmune Markers

• In patients with overlapping autoimmune conditions, tests for other markers (e.g., rheumatoid factor) may be indicated.

Thyroid-Related Conditions

Toxic Multinodular Goiter (TMNG)

• Clinical Features:
  • Gradual onset of mild hyperthyroidism, typically in older patients.
  • Absence of extrathyroidal manifestations like orbitopathy or dermopathy.
• Investigations:
  • Nodular goiter on ultrasound or palpation.
  • Patchy uptake on thyroid scintigraphy.
  • TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) negative.

Subacute Thyroiditis (De Quervain’s Thyroiditis)

• Clinical Features:
  • Painful thyroid, febrile symptoms, transient hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism.
• Investigations:
  • Low radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU).
  • Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP).
  • TRAb absent.

Painless (Silent) or Postpartum Thyroiditis

• Clinical Features:
  • Transient hyperthyroidism with a subsequent hypothyroid phase.
  • Often seen in postpartum women.
• Investigations:
  • Low RAIU.
  • TRAb negative.
  • High T3/T4 ratio supports Graves' disease over thyroiditis.

Iodine-Induced Hyperthyroidism

• Clinical Features:
  • History of iodine exposure (e.g., iodinated contrast, amiodarone).
• Investigations:
  • Elevated urinary iodine.
  • Low thyroidal RAIU.
  • TRAb absent.

Pituitary and Hormonal Disorders

TSH-Producing Pituitary Adenoma

• Clinical Features:
  • Inappropriately normal or elevated TSH with high free T4 and free T3 levels.
  • Signs of mass effect, such as headache or visual disturbances.
• Investigations:
  • MRI of the pituitary shows adenoma.
  • TRAb absent.

Thyroid Hormone Resistance

• Clinical Features:
  • Varying presentations from hypothyroid to hyperthyroid symptoms.
  • Family history often positive.
• Investigations:
  • Elevated free T4 and free T3 with inappropriately normal or elevated TSH.
  • Molecular genetic testing confirms diagnosis.

Drug-Induced and Exogenous Causes

Drug-Induced Hyperthyroidism

• Culprits: Amiodarone, interferon-alfa, immune checkpoint inhibitors, iodine supplements.
• Investigations:
  • History of drug exposure.
  • Variable RAIU findings depending on the mechanism.

Factitious Thyrotoxicosis

• Clinical Features:
  • No goiter or signs of autoimmunity.
• Investigations:
  • Low serum thyroglobulin.
  • Suppressed RAIU.
  • TFT abnormalities may be influenced by assay interference (e.g., biotin ingestion).

Neoplasms and Rare Causes

Struma Ovarii

• Clinical Features:
  • Ectopic thyroid tissue in an ovarian teratoma causing hyperthyroidism.
• Investigations:
  • Low thyroidal RAIU with uptake in the pelvis.
  • Pelvic ultrasound or CT confirms ovarian mass.

Trophoblastic Tumors

• Clinical Features:
  • Hyperthyroidism driven by excessive hCG levels (e.g., hydatidiform mole, choriocarcinoma).
• Investigations:
  • Elevated hCG levels.
  • Low thyroidal RAIU.

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

• Clinical Features:
  • Rarely associated with hyperthyroidism.
  • Thyroid nodules may be present.
• Investigations:
  • Biopsy of nodules if malignancy suspected.

Key Differentiating Investigations

Thyroid Function Tests (TFTs)

• Suppressed TSH with elevated T4/T3 points toward thyrotoxicosis.

TRAb Testing

• Positive in Graves’ disease, absent in most other causes.

RAIU

• Diffuse uptake in Graves’ disease, low uptake in thyroiditis or iodine-induced hyperthyroidism.

Imaging Studies

• Thyroid ultrasound and scintigraphy help differentiate nodular goiter from diffuse hyperthyroidism.

General Principles

Treatment Goals

• Achieve euthyroidism and prevent complications such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and thyroid storm.
• Tailor therapy based on patient age, disease severity, comorbidities, and preferences.

Immune Modulation

• Direct therapies for the autoimmune component are limited to severe orbitopathy or dermopathy, where immunosuppressive therapies may be used.

Thyroid Storm

• Definition: A life-threatening complication of untreated or poorly managed hyperthyroidism.
• Triggers: Surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, infection, or trauma.
• Presentation: Agitation, hyperthermia, tachycardia, volume depletion, heart failure, and altered mental status.
• Management:
  • Intensive care unit (ICU) admission.
  • High-dose antithyroid drugs (e.g., methimazole or propylthiouracil).
  • Corticosteroids to reduce peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.
  • Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol) for adrenergic symptom control.
  • Iodine solution (e.g., Lugol's solution) administered after antithyroid drugs to block thyroid hormone release.
  • Additional therapies: cholestyramine to reduce enterohepatic circulation of thyroid hormone, lithium as a thyroid hormone release inhibitor.

Subclinical Hyperthyroidism

• Definition: Suppressed TSH with normal free T4 and T3 levels.
• Indications for Treatment:
  • Persistent TSH <0.1 mIU/L in patients aged ≥65 years or those with:
    • Cardiac risk factors, heart disease, or osteoporosis.
    • Postmenopausal women not receiving estrogen or bisphosphonates.
    • Symptomatic hyperthyroidism.
• Course:
  • Subclinical hyperthyroidism may progress to overt disease, especially in older patients or those with positive thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies.

Symptomatic Therapy

• Beta-Blockers:
  • Propranolol is commonly used for tachycardia, tremor, and anxiety relief.
  • Avoid in patients with asthma, bradycardia, or heart block; calcium-channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem) are alternatives.
• Supportive Measures:
  • Cooling and fluid resuscitation for thyroid storm.
  • Dietary calcium and vitamin D supplementation to address bone loss.

Definitive Therapies

Antithyroid Drugs (Thionamides)

• Drugs: Methimazole (preferred) and propylthiouracil (PTU, used in the first trimester of pregnancy).
• Mechanism: Inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis; PTU also inhibits peripheral T4-to-T3 conversion.
• Approach:
  • High-dose therapy for 4–8 weeks to achieve euthyroidism, followed by maintenance dosing.
  • “Block and replace” therapy (combination of high-dose thionamides and levothyroxine) is less commonly used.
• Duration: Typically 12–18 months; prolonged treatment may improve remission rates.
• Adverse Effects:
  • Rash, agranulocytosis (rare, 0.1–0.5%), hepatotoxicity (PTU), and small-vessel vasculitis.
  • Contraindications: Severe liver disease or previous drug reactions.

Radioactive Iodine (RAI) Therapy

• Indications:
  • First-line therapy for adults, except in cases of active orbitopathy or pregnancy.
  • Salvage therapy after antithyroid drug failure or intolerance.
• Mechanism: Ablates thyroid tissue, leading to hypothyroidism in most patients.
• Precautions:
  • Avoid in pregnancy and lactation; pregnancy must be delayed by 6–12 months after treatment.
  • Risk of orbitopathy exacerbation; concurrent corticosteroid use may be required.
• Follow-Up:
  • Monitor free T4 and TSH every 4–6 weeks for up to 6 months.

Surgery (Thyroidectomy)

• Indications:
  • Large goiters causing compressive symptoms.
  • Suspicious or malignant thyroid nodules.
  • Pregnancy plans within 6 months or contraindications to RAI and antithyroid drugs.
  • Moderate-to-severe orbitopathy.
• Preoperative Preparation:
  • Antithyroid drugs to achieve euthyroidism.
  • Iodine solutions to reduce thyroid vascularity.
  • Beta-blockers for symptom control.
• Complications:
  • Hypoparathyroidism (2%) and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (1%).
  • Bleeding, infection, and keloid formation.
    
    

Management of Specific Populations

Pregnancy

• PTU during the first trimester; methimazole after the first trimester.
• Avoid RAI; surgery is reserved for cases unresponsive to medical therapy.
• Close monitoring to maintain free T4 at the upper limit of normal for pregnancy.

Children

• First-line therapy: Antithyroid drugs, with remission rates of ~30%.
• Consider surgery or RAI for refractory cases or relapse.

Extrathyroidal Manifestations

Graves' Orbitopathy

• Mild: Lubricants and observation.
• Moderate-to-severe: High-dose corticosteroids, orbital radiation, or decompression surgery.

Graves' Dermopathy

• Topical corticosteroids and compressive dressings.

General Prognosis

Remission and Relapse

• Remission rates differ by treatment type:
  • Antithyroid drugs: ~45% achieve remission after the first course; relapse rates are higher within the first four years after cessation.
  • Radioactive iodine (RAI): ~81.5% remission rate; hypothyroidism typically occurs within 3–6 months, requiring lifelong levothyroxine replacement.
  • Surgery: ~96% remission with low relapse rates.
• Long-term remission (~10 years): Achieved in 30–40% of patients treated with antithyroid drugs, with ~27% attaining permanent remission.

Mortality and Cardiovascular Risk

• Patients aged >40 years with untreated or poorly controlled hyperthyroidism have higher cardiovascular mortality.
• Prompt control of thyroid function reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and thromboembolic complications.

Diabetes Risk

• Prolonged use of antithyroid drugs or RAI therapy may slightly increase the risk of developing diabetes mellitus.

Factors Influencing Prognosis

Relapse Risk

• Younger age at onset.
• Larger thyroid volume or goiter size.
• High baseline free T4, free T3, and TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) levels.
• Presence of orbitopathy.
• Smoking.
• Orbitopathy:
  • Mild orbitopathy often resolves spontaneously.
  • Moderate-to-severe cases may require immunosuppressive therapy and/or orbital surgery.
  • Prognosis for sight-threatening orbitopathy is excellent with prompt treatment.
• Atrial Fibrillation:
  • Patients with thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation are at increased thromboembolic risk.
  • Anticoagulation therapy (e.g., direct oral anticoagulants) may be necessary to mitigate stroke risk.

Disease Course and Outcomes

Natural History

• Without treatment, Graves' disease can lead to worsening thyrotoxicosis and its complications, including thyroid storm.
• Over time, most patients treated with RAI or surgery develop hypothyroidism requiring lifelong levothyroxine therapy.

Treatment Response

• Early biochemical control of hyperthyroidism correlates with reduced cardiovascular morbidity and improved survival.
• High TRAb levels at diagnosis or after treatment cessation predict relapse, especially in younger patients.

Long-Term Quality of Life

• Quality of life outcomes are generally similar across treatment modalities but may be lower for patients who develop hypothyroidism or severe orbitopathy after RAI.

Special Populations

Children

• Antithyroid drugs often fail to induce long-term remission (~70% relapse rate). Prolonged treatment or definitive therapies (RAI, surgery) are typically required.
• Surgery is preferred in younger children (<5 years) or when rapid resolution of hyperthyroidism is necessary.

Pregnancy

• Proper management of maternal hyperthyroidism during pregnancy minimises risks to both mother and fetus.
• Antithyroid drugs (e.g., PTU in the first trimester) are preferred, with careful monitoring to prevent overtreatment.

Key Studies on Prognosis

TRAb and Relapse

• High TRAb levels at diagnosis and treatment cessation are associated with higher relapse rates, especially within two years of stopping therapy.

Orbitopathy

• Moderate-to-severe orbitopathy requires specialized care, but outcomes are excellent with timely intervention.

Diabetes Risk

• Patients treated with antithyroid drugs or RAI have an increased, though modest, risk of developing diabetes mellitus.

Thyroid-Related Complications

Bone Mineral Loss

• Chronic hyperthyroidism accelerates bone remodeling, leading to decreased bone density and, in severe cases, osteoporosis.
• The degree of bone loss correlates with the duration and severity of untreated hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid Storm

• A rare, life-threatening complication characterised by extreme thyrotoxicosis.
• Symptoms include hyperthermia, tachycardia, delirium, and heart failure.
• Requires urgent treatment with antithyroid drugs, beta-blockers, corticosteroids, and supportive care.

Cardiovascular Complications

Atrial Fibrillation

• A common presentation, especially in patients over 40 years old.
• Can result in thromboembolic events, including stroke.
• Long-term anticoagulation may be required.

Congestive Heart Failure

• High-output heart failure may occur in severe or prolonged hyperthyroidism, particularly in elderly patients.

Ophthalmic Complications

Graves' Orbitopathy (GO)

• Affects ~25% of patients with Graves' disease, typically presenting with mild symptoms.
• Severe orbitopathy can lead to proptosis, diplopia, and, in rare cases, sight-threatening complications like optic neuropathy.
• Management:
  • Mild cases: Lubricants, selenium supplements, and lifestyle modifications (e.g., smoking cessation).
  • Moderate-to-severe cases: Corticosteroids (intravenous preferred), mycophenolate, or teprotumumab.
  • Sight-threatening cases: High-dose intravenous corticosteroids and surgical decompression if necessary.
  • Stable, inactive disease: Rehabilitative surgery for proptosis and diplopia.

Dermatologic Complications

Graves' Dermopathy (Pretibial Myxoedema)

• Occurs in 1–2% of patients; more common in those with severe orbitopathy.
• Presents as thickened, orange-peel-like skin, typically over the shins.
• Mild cases may resolve spontaneously; corticosteroid creams are often effective.
• Severe cases with elephantiasis (in ~5% of dermopathy cases) may require systemic corticosteroids.

Acropachy

• Rare; presents as digital clubbing and subperiosteal bone formation.
• No definitive treatment is available, and management is largely supportive.

Rare and Severe Complications

Sight-Threatening Orbitopathy

• Includes corneal ulceration and optic neuropathy.
• Requires urgent treatment with intravenous corticosteroids or surgical decompression.

Thionamide-Induced Agranulocytosis

• A rare, idiosyncratic reaction to antithyroid drugs.
• Presents with fever and infection; requires immediate discontinuation of the drug and initiation of supportive care.
• Routine CBC monitoring is not effective in predicting this complication.

Hyperthyroid Exacerbations

• Triggered by iodine exposure in patients with toxic nodular goiter.
• Preoperative iodine should not be administered to these patients as it can exacerbate hyperthyroidism.

Long-Term Complications

Mortality Risk

• Poorly controlled hyperthyroidism increases cardiovascular mortality, particularly in older patients.

Quality of Life

• Severe orbitopathy and dermopathy can cause significant cosmetic and functional impairments, affecting overall quality of life.

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