Master Graves' Disease Labs and Treatment with Picmonic for Medicine

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Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid, which leads to hyperthyroidism. Classic findings include pretibial myxedema and exophthalmos. Patients display hyperthyroid symptoms (goiter, heat intolerance, weight loss, insomnia, hyperactivity and palpitations) due to IgG antibodies which activate TSH receptors, leading to release of thyroid hormones. Typical lab values in patients with Graves' disease include decreased TSH, increased thyroid hormones (T3, T4), and increased radioactive iodine uptake when tested. Treatment includes beta blockers for immediate symptomatic relief, with methimazole, or eventually radioiodine ablation to prevent excess thyroid hormone production.

7 KEY FACTS

Lab values show decreased TSH in Graves' disease. This occurs due to negative feedback from high levels of thyroid hormones T3 and T4.

Anti-TSH IgG antibodies bind to TSH receptors, stimulating them to release thyroid hormones. It is via this mechanism that patients with Graves' disease show elevated T3 levels.

Anti-TSH IgG antibodies bind to TSH receptors, stimulating them to release thyroid hormones. It is via this mechanism that patients with Graves' disease show elevated T4 levels.

In the radioactive iodine uptake test, which is a scan often used in the diagnosis of thyroid problems, patients with Graves' disease show high uptake.

Beta blockers are important in treating Graves' disease, as they provide rapid relief (within minutes) of symptoms such as palpitations, tremors, anxiety, heat intolerance and arrhythmias. These medications provide symptomatic treatment before thyroid hormone levels decrease.

This drug is helpful in treating Graves' and hyperthyroidism, as it blocks oxidation of iodine in the thyroid gland, helping to decrease thyroid hormone levels.

This is a type of radiation therapy where radioactive iodine is administered to patients. This iodine is taken into the patient's thyroid where it ablates, or destroys, thyroid tissue. Patients receiving this therapy will need to supplement thyroid hormones, as their thyroid will no longer make sufficient thyroid hormones.

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