Graves' disease natural history, complications and prognosis: Difference between revisions
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Antithyroid medications can also have serious side effects. | Antithyroid medications can also have serious side effects. | ||
If left untreated, more serious complications could result, including [[birth defect]]s in pregnancy, increased risk of a [[miscarriage]], and in extreme cases, death. Graves-Basedow disease is often accompanied by an increase in heart rate, which may lead to further heart complications. If the eyes are proptotic (bulging) severely enough that the lids do not close completely at night, severe dryness will occur with a very high risk of a secondary corneal infection which could lead to blindness. Pressure on the optic nerve behind the globe can lead to visual field defects and vision loss as well. | |||
=== Complications === | === Complications === | ||
Revision as of 15:52, 27 August 2012
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Graves disease often responds well to treatment. However, thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine usually will cause hypothyroidism. Without getting the correct dose of thyroid hormone replacement, hypothyroidism can lead to:
- Depression
- Mental and physical sluggishness
- Weight gain
Antithyroid medications can also have serious side effects.
If left untreated, more serious complications could result, including birth defects in pregnancy, increased risk of a miscarriage, and in extreme cases, death. Graves-Basedow disease is often accompanied by an increase in heart rate, which may lead to further heart complications. If the eyes are proptotic (bulging) severely enough that the lids do not close completely at night, severe dryness will occur with a very high risk of a secondary corneal infection which could lead to blindness. Pressure on the optic nerve behind the globe can lead to visual field defects and vision loss as well.
Complications
- Complications from surgery, including:
- Hoarseness from damage to the nerve leading to the voice box
- Low calcium levels from damage to the parathyroid glands (located near the thyroid gland)
- Scarring of the neck
- Eye problems (called Graves ophthalmopathy or exophthalmos
- Heart-related complications, including:
- Rapid heart rate
- Congestive heart failure (especially in the elderly)
- Atrial fibrillation
- Thyroid crisis (thyrotoxic storm), a severe worsening of overactive thyroid gland symptoms
- Increased risk for osteoporosis, if hyperthyroidism is present for a long time
- Complications related to thyroid hormone replacement
- If too little hormone is given, fatigue, weight gain, high cholesterol, depression, physical sluggishness, and other symptoms of hypothyroidism can occur
- If too much hormone is given, symptoms of hyperthyroidism will return