Abstract
The development or exacerbation of Graves' disease (GD) after radioiodine (RAI) therapy occurs rarely. The onset or worsening of the hyperthyroid state may result not only from radiation thyroiditis but also from exposure to increased release of thyroid antigens from damaged or destroyed thyroid follicles. Delayed exacerbation of GD by this mechanism is relatively rare. Here we report the case of a patient with GD who presented with delayed exacerbation of hyperthyroidism due to au-toimmunity after RAI treatment. The risk of developing paradoxical exacerbation of GD may be minimized by heightening awareness of this possibility; establishing a euthyroid state prior to RAI administration; giving a sufficiently large dose of RAI, preferably based on dosimetry; close monitoring of thyroid function tests and antibody levels; and, if necessary, restarting antithyroid drugs (ATDs) within 7 days of RAI therapy.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 365-368 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche |
| Volume | 173 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| State | Published - Jun 1 2014 |
Keywords
- Autoimmunity
- Graves disease
- Thyroid crisis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine