Synonyms in the broadest sense
hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, immunogenic hyperthyroidism, iodine deficient goiter, goiter, hot nodules, autonomic nodules
Drug therapy
The thyrostatic (thyroid-suppressing) therapy causes the cessation of hormone overproduction in the thyroid gland. All patients with hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism) are treated until normal thyroid function is achieved (= euthyroidism). Are you interested in drug therapy for hyperthyroidism?
In the next article you will find detailed information under: ThyrostaticsSulfur-containing thyrostatics such as thiamazole (e.g. Favisatn ®), propylthiouracil (e.g. Propycil®) or carbimazole (e.g. Car®) inhibit the formation of thyroid hormone precursors.
The ingestion must be taken for 6-8 days before the effect occurs (=latency period). Another group of thyrostatic drugs are perchlorates, such as sodium perchlorate (e.g. Irenat®). They prevent the absorption of iodine into the thyroid gland, so that hormone production is impaired.
These drugs have a rapid onset of action, so that the effect is felt quickly. Possible side effects of thyrostatic therapy are allergic reactions with rashes, fever, joint or muscle pain. In addition, the number of white blood cells (=leukocytes) and platelets (=thrombocytes) can drop, which is why regular blood count checks must be carried out under drug therapy.
After stopping the medication, the thyroid gland often becomes overactive again, especially in Graves’ disease, which is why radioiodine therapy or an operation should be carried out once euthyroidism, i.e. normal thyroid function, has been reached. If the patient has Graves’ disease, the condition of hypothyroidism must be avoided at all costs, since an existing endocrine orbitopathy (see hyperthyroidism) can worsen under these conditions. If the heart rate increases, ß-blockers can be administered independently of the thyrostatic therapy, since this inhibits, among other things, the conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 into the hormone T3, which is the more active form of the two hormones.
Operation
Surgical therapy is carried out when there is a pronounced enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter) and displacement symptoms of neighboring structures due to the enlargement of the thyroid gland occur. If a malignant change in the thyroid gland (thyroid cancer) is suspected, surgery should also be performed. The thyrotoxic crisis is also an indication for surgical treatment of hyperthyroidism.
Surgery is the procedure of choice in the presence of autonomic thyroid areas. After surgery, depending on the size of the remaining tissue, hypothyroidism may develop, which is why postoperative (=after surgery) TSH level control is necessary. Patients with Graves’ disease receive a so-called almost total resection of the thyroid gland: the organ is removed down to 2 ml residual volume.
If a malignant tumor of the thyroid gland is suspected, the thyroid gland is completely removed. After the operation, the thyroid hormones have to be substituted, i.e. replaced, as the organ can no longer produce any or a sufficient amount of hormones that the body needs. Surgery is not possible if small and diffusely distributed overfunctional areas of the thyroid gland cause the symptoms or if the patient cannot be operated on due to other diseases or limitations (=inoperability).
