Abstract

A REVIEW ON TOXIC DIFFUSE GOITRE

Neethu J.*, Amala Alex, Fathima Anwar, Reshma R., Rincy Rajan, Prasobh G. R.

Abstract

Grave’s disease is an autoimmune disease in which patients own immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to produce too much thyroxine. Graves’ disease is the most common autoimmune disease, affecting 0.5% of the population in the US, and represents 50- 80% of cases of hyperthyroidism. GD is an organ-specific autoimmune disease whose major manifestations are owing to circulating autoantibodies (Ab) that stimulate the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSH-R) leading to hyperthyroidism and goitre. Some of the more common symptoms include palpitations, tremulousness, heat intolerance, weight loss, and anxiety. Physical findings include tachycardia, proptosis, thyroid enlargement, and tremor. Ophthalmopathic changes are seen in 20% to 40% of patients and include exophthalmos, proptosis, chemosis, conjunctival injection, and periorbital edema. The main diagnostic tests include Thyroid function tests, Radioactive iodine uptake, Antibody tests and Imaging. Hyperthyroidism due to Grave’s disease is treated with 1 of the following approaches: use of antithyroid drugs to normalize thyroid hormone production; destruction of the thyroid using RAI; or surgical removal of the thyroid.

Keywords: Proptosis, chemosis, conjunctival injection, exophthalmos.