What Are the Treatments for Graves Disease?
If you have Graves’ disease, or even suspect that you have it, you should have a professional diagnosis and, if necessary, a treatment plan that suits your particular condition. Although the disorder is rooted in a malfunctioning immune system, the goal of treatment is to restore thyroid hormone levels to their correct balance and to relieve discomfort. Conventional Medicine for Graves’ Disease The two most frequently used treatments involve disabling the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones. One common approach uses a strong dose of radioactive iodine to destroy cells in the thyroid gland. This procedure attempts to halt excess hormone production by thinning the ranks of cells responsible for manufacturing the hormones. The amount of radioactive iodine you receive depends on the estimated size of your thyroid — determined either through a physical exam or by ultrasound — and on the gland’s level of activity, as indicated by the results of an iodine uptake test. Despite its destruct
