Abstract

Thyrotoxicosis is a common disease for which there are three main approaches to treatment. In each case the aim is to relieve the symptoms as soon as possible and to restore euthyroidism. The choice is between surgery, radio-iodine, and drugs that interfere with the production of thyroxine. β Blockers can help by blocking some of the peripheral effects of thyroid hormone. The hyperthyroidism tends to remit and relapse spontaneously, so that an apparent response is not necessarily the result of treatment. The exophthalmos of Graves' disease is not improved by treatment of the hyperthyroidism and may need specific therapy.