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Graves’ Disease and Toxic Nodular Goiter (Plummer’s Disease)

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Abstract

Hyperthyroidism is a set of disorders that involve excess synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland, which leads to thyrotoxicosis. The most common forms of hyperthyroidism include diffuse toxic goiter (Graves’ disease), toxic multinodular goiter (Plummer’s disease), and a solitary toxic adenoma. The most reliable screening measure of thyroid function is the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Options for treatment of hyperthyroidism include antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine therapy (the preferred treatment of hyperthyroidism among US thyroid specialists), or thyroidectomy. Massive thyroid enlargement with compressive symptoms, a suspicious nodule, Graves’ orbitopathy, and patient preference are indications for surgical treatment of thyrotoxicosis.

Keywords

  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Graves’ disease
  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone
  • Anti-TSH receptor Antibodies
  • Toxic nodular goiter
  • Plummer’s disease
  • Antithyroid drugs
  • Radioactive iodine
  • Surgery

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Barczyński, M. (2021). Graves’ Disease and Toxic Nodular Goiter (Plummer’s Disease). In: Shifrin, A.L., Raffaelli, M., Randolph, G.W., Gimm, O. (eds) Endocrine Surgery Comprehensive Board Exam Guide. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84737-1_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84737-1_3

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