Cited by 139Thyroid Disorders and TreatmentsOphthalmology and Eye DisordersThyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Remission of Graves’ disease during anti-thyroid drug therapy. Time to reconsider the mechanism?

Laurberg, Peter·2006·European Journal of Endocrinology

Abstract

Therapy of Graves’ hyperthyroidism with thionamide anti-thyroid drugs is accompanied by a gradual remission of the autoimmune aberration in the majority of patients. The most likely mechanism behind this remission has been considered to be a direct immunosuppressive effect of thionamide drugs. However, a number of findings in clinical studies of patients with Graves’ disease indicate that remission is probably not caused by a special effect of thionamide drugs. Many studies have shown that remission is linked to restoration of the euthyroid state, and that it is independent of drug dose and type. Moreover, similar remission is observed when patients become euthyroid after thyroid surgery. In an explanatory model described, it is assumed that the autoimmune aberration of Graves’ disease is often basically quit mild and self-limiting. Patients may become ill by the running of a vicious cycle of hyperthyroidism worsening the autoimmunity, and autoimmunity worsening the hyperthyroidism. Once patients are made euthyroid by one or the other drug or by thyroid surgery, the majority of patients will gradually enter remission of the disease. The conclusion that remission is associated with restoration of the euthyroid state, and that it is not a special drug effect, highlights the importance of making and keeping patients with Graves’ disease euthyroid.

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Crossref · 10.1530/eje.1.02295

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  • ATD treatment itself might have a beneficial immunosuppressive role, either primarily decreasing thyroid-specific autoimmunity or secondarily ameliorating the hyperthyroid state and restoring the dysregulated immune system.

    “The treatment itself might have a beneficial immunosuppressive role, either to primarily decrease thyroid specific autoimmunity, or secondarily, by ameliorating the hyperthyroid state, which may restore the dysregulated immune system back to normal (111).”

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Authors
Laurberg, P.
Affiliations
Aalborg University Hospital (DK)
Corresponding author
Laurberg, Peter
Venue
European Journal of Endocrinology
Published
2006-12
Volume
155
Issue
6
Pages
783-786
ISSN
  • 0804-4643 (ISSN-L)
  • 1479-683X
OpenAlex
W2134134791
Cited by
139
References
21
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 4
FWCI
3.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • European Journal of Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Ophthalmology and Eye Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Keywords
Graves' disease, remission, antithyroid drugs, hyperthyroidism, euthyroidism, autoimmune thyroid disease, thyroid surgery, vicious circle, immunosuppression
MeSH terms
Graves Disease, Humans, Remission Induction, Antithyroid Agents, Thyroid Gland, Autoimmunity

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