The thyroid gland is responsible for controlling body metabolism, which regulates mood, weight, mental energy and physical energy, according to Medline Plus. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease that targets the thyroid gland, stimulating it to make excess amounts of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. This condition is known as hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism causes an increase in the body's metabolic rate which can cause mood swings and excessive weight loss. There are no cures for Graves' Disease, however, treatments are available that can decrease the body's production of thyroxine.
Radioiodine Therapy
In order to make thyroxine, iodine must be present in the blood. During radioiodine therapy, the patient takes a form of radioactive iodine by mouth. This iodine collects in the blood and is used by the body to create radioactive thyroxine. The radioactivity destroys the cells that it helped create along with overactive thyroid cells, according to Mayo Clinic.
Over a period of several weeks to months, the cell death will cause shrinkage of the thyroid gland, which leads to a decrease in thyroxine hormone production. Risks associated with this treatment include hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, and eye problems.
Radioiodine therapy is not used for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it is believed that radioactive iodine can be passed from mother to baby, according to the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service.
Medications
There are two categories of medications available to those with Graves' Disease: anti-thyroid medication and beta-blockers.
Anti-thyroid medication interferes with the thyroid's ability to use iodide to make thyroid hormones, thus preventing the thyroid from producing an excess amount of thyroxine. Anti-thyroid medications are usually given in conjunction with radioiodine therapy. Serious but rare side effects include liver damage and a decrease in white blood cells, according to the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service.
Beta-blockers do not prevent the thyroid from producing thyroid hormones, but instead block the action of the hormone. The purpose of the beta-blocker is to alleviate symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, tremors and nervousness. Beta-blockers are a supplementation to other forms of treatment.
Thyroid Surgery
Thyroid surgery is used for treatment in cases where anti-thyroid drugs cannot be tolerated or other forms of treatment have proven unsuccessful. During the surgery, which is called thyroidectomy, the entire thyroid gland is removed. After thyroid removal, thyroxine replacement therapy is necessary for a lifetime. Possible rare complications associated with thyroid surgery include damage to the parathyroid glands and laryngeal nerve, or vocal cords.
