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Side effects of the antithyroid medications include a potentially fatal reduction in the level of white blood cells. Therapy with radioiodine is the most common treatment in the United States, while antithyroid drugs and/or thyroidectomy are used more often in Europe, Japan, and most of the rest of the world.
A major expected side-effect of radioiodine in people with Graves' disease is the development of lifelong hypothyroidism, requiring daily treatment with thyroid hormone. On occasion, some people may require more than one radioactive treatment, depending on the type of disease present, the size of the thyroid, and the initial dose administered.
In Graves' disease, treatment with antithyroid medications must be given for six months to two years, in order to be effective. Even then, upon cessation of the drugs, the hyperthyroid state may recur. Side effects of the antithyroid medications include a potentially fatal reduction in the level of white blood cells.
Subclinical hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, miscarriage and preterm birth. [50] Propylthiouracil is the preferred treatment of hyperthyroidism (both overt and subclinical) in the first trimester of pregnancy as it is associated with less birth defects than methimazole. [50]
Some do so only a few months after treatment while others may not be affected for 20–30 years. Hypothyroidism patients must begin a lifelong regimen of thyroid replacement hormones. While the onset of hypothyroidism is most common with radio-iodine treatment, the condition has been observed in patients treated with medication series and surgery.
Beta blockers are often used to reduce the effects of thyroid hormone. [5] Patients often require admission to the intensive care unit. [6] As a life-threatening medical emergency, thyroid storm has a mortality rate of up to 25% despite treatment. [1] [7] Without treatment, the condition is typically fatal, with a mortality rate of 80-100%. [8]
Amiodarone induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is a form of hyperthyroidism due to treatment with antiarrhythmic drug, amiodarone. Amiodarone induced thyroid dysfunction more commonly results in hypothyroidism, estimated to occur in 6-32% of patients, whereas hyperthyroidism from amiodarone use is estimated at 1-12%. [1]
Thyroid diseases are highly prevalent worldwide, [10] [11] [12] and treatment varies based on the disorder. Levothyroxine is the mainstay of treatment for people with hypothyroidism, [13] while people with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease can be managed with iodine therapy, antithyroid medication, or surgical removal of the thyroid ...