What is Graves' disease?
In Graves' disease, antibodies switch the thyroid on and keep it overactive. It can also affect the eyes, causing dryness, bulging or double vision. This is called thyroid eye disease.
Treatment options
- Methimazole, often for 12 to 18 months, with a chance of remission
- Radioactive iodine for lasting control
- Thyroid surgery for large goiters, eye disease or when other options are not a fit
- Beta blockers for symptom relief
Stopping smoking is very important, because smoking makes thyroid eye disease worse. People with eye symptoms are referred to an eye specialist. A medicine called teprotumumab (Tepezza) is approved for thyroid eye disease.