From the Guidelines
A good lifestyle for a patient with Graves' disease should prioritize stress reduction, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and regular moderate exercise, as these factors can significantly impact morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. To manage stress, patients can engage in techniques such as mindfulness and social activities, as recommended in the 2024 study on lifestyle therapy for managing diabetes, cardiorenal, and metabolic diseases 1. A healthy diet comprising fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean poultry, fish, and legumes is essential, while processed foods and those with excess saturated fat, salt, and sugar should be discouraged 1.
Some key aspects of a healthy lifestyle for Graves' disease patients include:
- Encouraging positive practices such as mindfulness and engagement with social activities to reduce stress
- Consuming a balanced diet with adequate nutrients, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats
- Limiting or avoiding substances that can exacerbate symptoms, such as caffeine and alcohol
- Getting adequate sleep (7-9 hours nightly) to help regulate hormones and reduce fatigue
- Engaging in regular moderate exercise, but avoiding excessive physical activity during active disease phases
- Avoiding smoking, which can worsen eye symptoms, and wearing sunglasses outdoors to protect sensitive eyes
Medication adherence is also crucial, and patients may be prescribed antithyroid drugs or beta-blockers to manage symptoms like rapid heartbeat and tremors, as discussed in the 2022 study on individualized beta-blocker treatment for high blood pressure 1. Regular medical follow-ups are essential to monitor thyroid function and adjust treatment as needed. By prioritizing these lifestyle modifications and adhering to medical treatment, patients with Graves' disease can reduce symptom severity and support overall thyroid health, ultimately improving their quality of life and reducing morbidity and mortality.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Lifestyle Interventions for Graves' Disease
- A case report published in 2019 2 demonstrated that a patient with Graves' disease was able to normalize her thyroid hormones and autoimmune markers in 6 months through lifestyle interventions, including:
- Dietary changes to an ancestral type of diet
- Oral health interventions
- Practice of kundalini yoga
- Avoidance of environmental toxicants
- Supportive supplements when necessary
- This case report suggests that a healthy lifestyle can be an effective first-line intervention for patients with Graves' disease.
Treatment Options for Graves' Disease
- Established treatment modalities for Graves' disease include antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, and surgery 3, 4, 5, 6
- However, these treatments may have limitations and side effects, such as:
- Antithyroid drugs: high recurrence rate after treatment, risk of rare but serious adverse effects 4, 5
- Radioactive iodine: inevitable development of permanent hypothyroidism, risk of exacerbating pre-existing ophthalmopathy 3, 4, 6
- Thyroidectomy: requires skilled and high-volume surgeons, risk of complications such as hypoparathyroidism and permanent paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve 4, 6
Emerging Therapies for Graves' Disease
- New discoveries in the pathogenesis of Graves' hyperthyroidism and Graves' orbitopathy have led to the development of new target-based therapies, including: