From the Guidelines
Graves' disease is responsible for approximately 95 percent of hyperthyroidism cases. According to the ACOG Practice Bulletin on Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy 1, this condition is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, particularly in pregnant women. The diagnosis of Graves' disease is generally based on an elevated free thyroxine (FT4) level or free thyroxine index (FTI) with suppression of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the absence of thyroid mass or nodular goiter. Some key characteristics of Graves' disease include:
- Distinctive ophthalmic signs such as eyelid lag or retraction
- Dermal signs including localized and pretibial myxedema
- Symptoms such as tremors, nervousness, insomnia, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, tachycardia, and hypertension. It is essential to treat hyperthyroidism adequately to prevent severe complications, including preeclampsia, preterm delivery, heart failure, and miscarriage, as well as low birth weight in neonates 1.
From the Research
Causes of Hyperthyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism can be caused by various factors, including Graves' disease, toxic multinodular goiter, and toxic adenoma 2.
- Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, accounting for approximately 70% of cases 3.
- Other causes of hyperthyroidism include subacute granulomatous thyroiditis, drugs such as amiodarone, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and immune checkpoint inhibitors 3.
Percentage of Hyperthyroidism Cases Caused by Graves' Disease
- According to one study, Graves' disease accounts for approximately 70% of hyperthyroidism cases 3.
- Another study estimates that Graves' disease causes around 80-90% of hyperthyroidism cases, although the exact percentage is not specified 4, 5.
- It is essential to note that the exact percentage may vary depending on the population and location.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperthyroidism
- The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is typically made based on clinical findings, biochemical tests, and imaging techniques, including ultrasound and radioactive iodine uptake scans 2.
- Treatment options for hyperthyroidism include antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine, and surgery, with the choice of treatment depending on the underlying cause and individual patient factors 2, 5, 3, 6.