Graves disease

Autoimmune thyroid disease with antibodies against the TSH receptor causing persistent hyperthyroidism. Most common in women aged 20–50. Treatment: antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine or thyroidectomy.

ICD-10 E05.01 drug

Also known as: Diffuse toxic goiter, Basedow disease

Drugs used for this condition

AThiamazoleFirst line · Antithyroid preparations. Sulfur-containing imidazole derivativesThiamazole is first-line medical therapy for Graves disease in non-pregnant adults. ATA 2016 recommends thiamazole as the preferred thionamide (exceptions: first trimester of pregnancy and life-threatening thyroid storm). Starting dose 10–40 mg daily depending on severity, course duration 12–18 months. Remission is achieved in 40–50% of patients. On relapse, radioiodine therapy or thyroidectomy is considered.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit