Graves' disease is the most frequent cause of hyperthyroidism and current treatments consist of antithyroid drugs (ATD), radioiodine (131I) and surgery. ATD are the first choice of treatment in patients with mild disease, small goiters, children, adolescents and in special situations as pregnancy. On the other hand, 131I is increasingly being used as definitive therapy, because it long has proven to be a safe, cheap and effective treatment. The risk of exacerbation of hyperthyroidism after 131I administration, factors that may predict the response to radioiodine and the dose to be administrated have been discussed in the literature and we comment the controversies in this review. Surgery is rarely employed, and it is indicated only in cases where ATD have not been effective, radioiodine is contraindicated or not acceptable to the patients.
Graves' disease; Hyperthyroidism; Antithyroid drugs; Radioactive iodine
