These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Graves Disease
Question: Will swelling around the eye resolve when or if thyroid stability is achieved?
Answer: Graves Disease is a systemic autoimmune disease which involves several organs of the body. The most common sites are the eye and the thyroid. Treatment of the thyroid disease will not necessarily slow down the progression of the eye findings. Ongoing evaluation of the eyes is usually necessary.
Propylthiouracil (PTU)
Question: Problems that may be associated with taking during the first trimester of pregnancy and percent of chances triminster of pregnancy and percent of chances of causing harm to fetus.
Answer: Propylthiouracil commonly referred to as PTU, is one of the drugs available for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and Grave’s Disease-an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid. In general, pregnant women tolerate mild cases of hyperthyroidism. But, if treatment is necessary the choices are surgery or drugs. PTU is currently the best drug available-if surgery is not a good option. However, the drug does cross the placenta causing fetal blockage of throxine synthesis (thyroid hormone) and can lead to fetal goiter. PTU must be followed closely due to its other potential side effects-especially on the white blood cell level.
Other risks to the fetus appear minimal; but, tightly controlled studies are not available.
