Graves' Disease Treatment Austin TX

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Treating Autoimmune Hyperthyroidism

Graves' disease is an autoimmune thyroid disorder that requires treatment by medical professionals. The disease causes the thyroid gland to produce excessive amounts of hormone, causing an over-active metabolism.

Graves’ disease (GD) causes an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), so the purpose of treatment is to bring thyroid function back to a normal level. An overactive thyroid gland resulting from GD causes too much thyroid hormone to be produced and distributed throughout the body. This will result in an overactive metabolism and in all bodily functions being abnormally sped up. The goal of treatment for GD is to reduce the over-activity of the thyroid gland, so that it is operating at a range considered to be within normal limits. For a list of symptoms caused by this disease, see my article about recognizing Graves’ disease.

1. Anti-thyroid medications are used to slow production of thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland produces mainly the “T-4 and T-3” hormones, but people with GD will have increased production of these as a result of the autoimmune response within the body that causes the disease. Patients will be given a trial of an anti-thyroid medication, which is designed to slow down the overactive thyroid so that thyroid hormones fall within normal values. Two of the more common brands of anti-thyroid medications are methimazole (Tapazole) and propylthiouracil (PTU).
2. Beta-blocker medications may also be used to control some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism caused by GD. Beta-blockers, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, are drugs that block the effects of adrenaline, the hormone sent out by the adrenal gland that helps stimulate heart rate and blood pressure regulation. Patients with GD may have increased heart rate (tachycardia) and increased blood pressure (hypertension), so administration of a beta-blocker as part of their treatment regimen may sometimes be used to control these abnormally high functioning bodily responses. Some GD patients may only be treated with a beta-blocker or only with an anti-thyroid medication, while some may be treated with both medications simultaneously....

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Author: James Lowrance

Austin/Travis County Community Health Centers

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Austin, TX
The Community Health Centers (CHC) help ensure access to primary medical and dental care for those who have difficulty obtaining services due to economic or geographic barriers. Patients served include the uninsured and those enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and the City/County Medical Assistance Program (MAP).