Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPrescriptionsRadioactive Iodine TherapyThyroidectomyHome Remedies and LifestyleSupplementsNext in Graves’ disease GuideWhat Is Graves' Disease?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Prescriptions
Radioactive Iodine Therapy
Thyroidectomy
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
Supplements
Next in Graves’ disease Guide
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Common therapeutic options include antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine therapy, andthyroidectomy(the removal of the thyroid). Some complementary and alternative medicines have also been known to help alleviate symptoms of this condition.
This article will outline medications, procedures, home remedies, and dietary changes that are helpful to treat Graves' disease.
Sviatlana Lazarenka/ Getty Images
There are antithyroid medications that people can take to alleviate symptoms of Graves' disease. Tapazole (methimazole),propylthiouracil, and Neo-Mercazole and Anti-Thyrox (carbimazole) are all medications thatblock the thyroid gland from producing too much thyroid hormone.
People with Graves' disease may be prescribedimmunosuppressive drugs, which keep your immune system from attacking itself, such as oralcorticosteroids. Steroids stop the body from makingcytokines(which regulate the body’s response to disease and infection) that cause inflammation.
RAI is a one-time therapy for most people. If symptoms persist for six months or more, you may need a second dose.
People withthyroid eye diseaseorexophthalmos(bulging of one or both of theeyes) are not candidates for radioactive iodine therapy. Additionally, people who smoke have very high risk of developing thyroid eye disease after radioactive iodine therapy.
Iodine 131 can be present in bodily fluids after treatment which can be harmful to children,pregnant women, even pets. Keeping 6 feet away and sleeping alone for 3-11 days is recommended.Learn more:Protecting Your Family After Radioactive Iodine Treatment
Iodine 131 can be present in bodily fluids after treatment which can be harmful to children,pregnant women, even pets. Keeping 6 feet away and sleeping alone for 3-11 days is recommended.
Learn more:Protecting Your Family After Radioactive Iodine Treatment
Thyroidectomy is a medical procedure where a surgeon removes the entire thyroid. Removal of the thyroid will causehypothyroidism(underactive thyroid), which requires lifelong medication with Synthroid (levothyroxine).
Prior to surgery, you will have blood taken, scans such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and have your vocal cords examined using an instrument called alaryngoscope.
Thyroidectomy can be performed through an incision at the front of the neck, or through the mouth. The first can cause permanent scarring.
Possible complications of the surgery include:
How to Prevent or Minimize Surgery Scars
Eye symptoms associated with Graves' disease such as dryness and swelling can often be treated at home. Home remedies include:
Dietary Considerations
Graves' disease can affect your digestion and weight.What you eatcan help alleviate some digestive discomfort. Eating a low-iodine diet is important to increase the effectiveness of radioactive iodine therapy. The following foods are low in iodine:
Try to avoid overly processed foods and caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea. Caffeine can interfere with the effectiveness of some medications, but caffeine-free coffee and tea are fine to enjoy.
A Low-Iodine Diet Can Make Radioactive Iodine Treatment More Effective
There are a variety ofsupplementsthat may benefit people with Graves' disease. These include:
Discuss Supplements With Your Healthcare ProviderBe sure to check with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements. You can also check with the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH ODS) to read about the safety profile of a specific supplement.
Discuss Supplements With Your Healthcare Provider
Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements. You can also check with the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH ODS) to read about the safety profile of a specific supplement.
Summary
Graves' disease can be treated with various medications and procedures, including radioactive iodine therapy and thyroidectomy. Complementary therapies such as dietary changes, supplements, and at-home symptom management can also help alleviate symptoms. Always check with your healthcare provider before trying a new supplement, diet, or home remedy, as it may interfere with your current treatment plan.
A Word From Verywell
Graves' disease is a treatable condition that can be supplemented with at-home care. Over time, your condition can go into remission, meaning you may become asymptomatic or even be cured of it altogether. If your symptoms worsen, call your healthcare provider to have an exam and see if another treatment plan can help.
10 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Thyroid Disease
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.Penta L, Muzi G, Cofini M, Leonardi A, Lanciotti L, Esposito S.Corticosteroids in moderate-to-severe Graves’ ophthalmopathy: oral or intravenous therapy?Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(1):155. doi:10.3390/ijerph16010155American Thyroid Association.Radioactive iodine.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Thyroidectomy.American Thyroid Association.Low iodine diet.Leo M, Bartalena L, Rotondo Dottore G, et al.Effects of selenium on short-term control of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease treated with methimazole: results of a randomized clinical trial.J Endocrinol Invest. 2017;40(3):281-287. doi:10.1007/s40618-016-0559-9Cedars-Sinai.Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia.Fischli S, von Wyl V, Trummler M, et al.Iron metabolism in patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism.Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2017;87(5):609-616. doi:10.1111/cen.13450Kaplan D, Dosiou C.Two cases of Graves’ hyperthyroidism treated with homeopathic remedies containing herbal extracts fromlycopus spp. andmelissa officinalis.J Endocr Soc. 2021;5(Suppl 1):A971. doi:10.1210/jendso/bvab048.1984Mount Sinai.L-carnitine.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6 fact sheets.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.Penta L, Muzi G, Cofini M, Leonardi A, Lanciotti L, Esposito S.Corticosteroids in moderate-to-severe Graves’ ophthalmopathy: oral or intravenous therapy?Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(1):155. doi:10.3390/ijerph16010155American Thyroid Association.Radioactive iodine.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Thyroidectomy.American Thyroid Association.Low iodine diet.Leo M, Bartalena L, Rotondo Dottore G, et al.Effects of selenium on short-term control of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease treated with methimazole: results of a randomized clinical trial.J Endocrinol Invest. 2017;40(3):281-287. doi:10.1007/s40618-016-0559-9Cedars-Sinai.Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia.Fischli S, von Wyl V, Trummler M, et al.Iron metabolism in patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism.Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2017;87(5):609-616. doi:10.1111/cen.13450Kaplan D, Dosiou C.Two cases of Graves’ hyperthyroidism treated with homeopathic remedies containing herbal extracts fromlycopus spp. andmelissa officinalis.J Endocr Soc. 2021;5(Suppl 1):A971. doi:10.1210/jendso/bvab048.1984Mount Sinai.L-carnitine.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6 fact sheets.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.Penta L, Muzi G, Cofini M, Leonardi A, Lanciotti L, Esposito S.Corticosteroids in moderate-to-severe Graves’ ophthalmopathy: oral or intravenous therapy?Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(1):155. doi:10.3390/ijerph16010155American Thyroid Association.Radioactive iodine.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Thyroidectomy.American Thyroid Association.Low iodine diet.Leo M, Bartalena L, Rotondo Dottore G, et al.Effects of selenium on short-term control of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease treated with methimazole: results of a randomized clinical trial.J Endocrinol Invest. 2017;40(3):281-287. doi:10.1007/s40618-016-0559-9Cedars-Sinai.Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia.Fischli S, von Wyl V, Trummler M, et al.Iron metabolism in patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism.Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2017;87(5):609-616. doi:10.1111/cen.13450Kaplan D, Dosiou C.Two cases of Graves’ hyperthyroidism treated with homeopathic remedies containing herbal extracts fromlycopus spp. andmelissa officinalis.J Endocr Soc. 2021;5(Suppl 1):A971. doi:10.1210/jendso/bvab048.1984Mount Sinai.L-carnitine.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6 fact sheets.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.
Penta L, Muzi G, Cofini M, Leonardi A, Lanciotti L, Esposito S.Corticosteroids in moderate-to-severe Graves’ ophthalmopathy: oral or intravenous therapy?Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(1):155. doi:10.3390/ijerph16010155
American Thyroid Association.Radioactive iodine.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Thyroidectomy.
American Thyroid Association.Low iodine diet.
Leo M, Bartalena L, Rotondo Dottore G, et al.Effects of selenium on short-term control of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease treated with methimazole: results of a randomized clinical trial.J Endocrinol Invest. 2017;40(3):281-287. doi:10.1007/s40618-016-0559-9
Cedars-Sinai.Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia.
Fischli S, von Wyl V, Trummler M, et al.Iron metabolism in patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism.Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2017;87(5):609-616. doi:10.1111/cen.13450
Kaplan D, Dosiou C.Two cases of Graves’ hyperthyroidism treated with homeopathic remedies containing herbal extracts fromlycopus spp. andmelissa officinalis.J Endocr Soc. 2021;5(Suppl 1):A971. doi:10.1210/jendso/bvab048.1984
Mount Sinai.L-carnitine.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6 fact sheets.
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