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Thyrotoxicosis refers to symptoms and signs that arise from excess quantities of circulating thyroid hormones. It can be caused by hyperthyroidism – hyperfunction of the thyroid gland – or by other mechanisms, such as the destruction of thyroid follicles with release of thyroid hormones (thyroiditis) or excessive ingestion of thyroid hormones (thyrotoxicosis factitia). There are several causes of thyrotoxicosis, the most common being Graves' disease, followed by toxic nodular thyroid disease (toxic multinodular goitre or toxic adenoma) and thyroiditis of any aetiology. Establishing the underlying cause of thyrotoxicosis is essential for its management. Diagnosis relies on clinical observation, sensitive hormonal and immunological assays and the occasional use of thyroid scintigraphy. Management of thyrotoxicosis includes the use of anti-thyroid medication, β-adrenoceptor blocking agents, radioiodine, thyroid surgery or a combination of these. Management of thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy and the postpartum period requires special attention and expertise as the correct diagnosis and treatment can significantly influence the outcome of pregnancy and the well-being of the mother and the fetus or newborn.

Thyrotoxicosis refers to symptoms and signs that arise from excess quantities of circulating thyroid hormones. It can be caused by hyperthyroidism – hyperfunction of the thyroid gland – or by other mechanisms, such as the destruction of thyroid follicles with release of thyroid hormones (thyroiditis) or excessive ingestion of thyroid hormones (thyrotoxicosis factitia). There are several causes of thyrotoxicosis, the most common being Graves' disease, followed by toxic nodular thyroid disease (toxic multinodular goitre or toxic adenoma) and thyroiditis of any aetiology. Establishing the underlying cause of thyrotoxicosis is essential for its management. Diagnosis relies on clinical observation, sensitive hormonal and immunological assays and the occasional use of thyroid scintigraphy. Management of thyrotoxicosis includes the use of anti-thyroid medication, β-adrenoceptor blocking agents, radioiodine, thyroid surgery or a combination of these. Management of thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy and the postpartum period requires special attention and expertise as the correct diagnosis and treatment can significantly influence the outcome of pregnancy and the well-being of the mother and the fetus or newborn.

BackgroundPatients' perceptions and preferences influence the choice of radioiodine ablation (RIA) or surgery in the definitive management of Graves' disease. This study aimed to evaluate their concerns, experiences and satisfaction following definitive treatment.MethodsA postal survey of patients who had treatment with surgery or RIA between January 2011 and June 2013 for Graves' disease was conducted.ResultsOf 214 patients, 136 (64%) responded. The majority of patients felt actively involved in decision making (83.8%) and were satisfied (84.9%) with their treatment. Compared with RIA, patients who underwent surgery were more satisfied with their treatment (p=0.008). Discussion with the doctor was the most useful aid to decision making. Feeling involved in decision-making process was associated with improved satisfaction (p<0.001).Common reasons for not choosing surgery were need for general anaesthesia, scarring and voice change. Avoiding close contact, risk of persistent hyperthyroidism and worsening eye disease were common reasons for not choosing RIA. Ongoing concerns were hypothyroidism, scarring and eye problems after surgery and hypothyroidism and eye problems after RIA.ConclusionsThis study provides insight into patients' experiences of surgery and RIA for Graves' disease and reinforces the importance of patient involvement in the decision-making process.

BackgroundGraves' disease can be treated with antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioiodine or surgery. Use of definitive treatments (radioiodine or surgery) varies widely across centres. Specific clinical circumstances, local facilities, patient and clinician preferences and perceptions will affect the choice of treatment. Detailed understanding of UK clinicians' views and their rationale for different treatments is lacking.AimsTo study the preferences and perceptions of UK clinicians on the role of surgery and radioiodine in the management of Graves' disease.Methods‘British Thyroid Association’ (BTA), ‘Society for Endocrinology’ (SFE) and ‘British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons’ (BAETS) members were invited to complete an online survey examining their management decisions in Graves' disease and factors that influenced their decisions.Results158 responses from UK consultants were included. The ratio of physicians to surgeons was 11:5 and males to females was 12:4. Most clinicians would commence ATDs in uncomplicated first presentation of Graves' disease. A wide range of risk estimates on the effectiveness and risks of treatment was given by clinicians. Radioiodine was used most frequently in relapsed Graves' disease. However, severe eye disease and pregnancy strongly influenced choice in favour of surgery. Surgeons underestimated the success of radioiodine (p<0.01) and were more likely to recommend thyroidectomy than physicians.ConclusionsThis survey demonstrates significant variation in clinicians' perceptions of risks of treatment and their choice of management options for relapsed Graves' disease. The variation appeared to be dependent on patient and disease-specific factors as well as physician experience, gender and specialty.

The cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated-4 (CTLA-4) molecule plays an important role in immune regulation by downregulating activation of T cells by antigen-presenting cells. Polymorphisms of the CTLA-4gene have been shown to be associated with susceptibility to a number of autoimmune diseases. Some, but not all, studies suggest association between the CTLA-4gene and autoimmune hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to determine whether allelic association was present between the A-G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position 49 in exon 1 of the CTLA-4gene and autoimmune hypothyroidism. The study was performed in 158 patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism and 384 control subjects. All subjects were white Caucasians from the United Kingdom. Genotyping was carried out by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using the restriction enzyme Bbv1. There was a significant excess of the G allele in patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism compared with controls (43% vs. 32% respectively; χ2= 10.7, p= 0.001; odds ratio 1.57). The GG and the AG genotypes were found to be more frequent in patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism than controls (17% vs. 8.8% and 50% vs. 46% respectively; χ2= 11.7, p= 0.003). These results suggest that the CTLA-4gene region on chromosome 2q33 is a susceptibility locus for autoimmune hypothyroidism in the United Kingdom.

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