With proper treatment, you can minimize the effects of Graves’ disease. The goal of treatment is to control over-production of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). There are three treatment options for Graves’ disease. Your doctor or endocrinologist will recommend the best treatment for you and your particular case of Graves’ disease. Antithyroid Medications These drugs help prevent the thyroid from producing hormones. Methimazole and propylthiouracil (PTU) are generic medications that interfere with the thyroid gland’s ability to produce hormones. While effective in relieving symptoms within a few weeks, hyperthyroidism may return after the drug is stopped. Possible side effects that may mean you have an allergy to this type of medicine include skin rash, itching, and hives. Other more common side effects that are usually temporary include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, headache, joint or muscle aches, loss of taste, and a metallic taste. Be sure to ask your doctor to explain serious side effects you may experience and what to do should a side effect develop. One serious side effect with antithyroid medications is agranulocytosis, which causes you to not have enough white blood cells. That makes you more susceptible to infection, but agranulocytosis is rare. However, if you develop a fever or sore throat while on antithyroid medications, definitely call your doctor; it may be agranulocytosis. Radioactive Iodine (RAI) Some doctors favor radioactive iodine treatment because antithyroid medications do not always provide a long-term solution to Graves’ disease-related hyperthyroidism, and surgical complications may be serious. RAI is given as a capsule or in a water-based solution. It may take months for treatment to be effective, and sometimes repeated doses are required. Radioactive iodine works by destroying thyroid tissue cells, thereby reducing your thyroid hormone levels. However, there is debate as to whether a fixed dose or individually prescribed dose is best. The goal of RAI treatment is to leave enough thyroid tissue for production of a healthy balance of hormones, but many—if not most—patients eventually develop hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism (when your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone) is much easier to treat, so while it may be surprising, it’s actually all right if you do become hypothyroid following RAI treatment. Radioactive iodine cannot be used if you’re pregnant or if you’re planning on becoming pregnant within 6 to 9 months. Surgery Some patients may require surgery for various reasons. For example, some people cannot take or tolerate antithyroid medication or RAI, and sometimes, these treatments are not successful. Additionally, if you’re pregnant and PTU (antithyroid medication) isn’t working, the doctor may recommend surgery. In other cases, a goiter may require surgical removal. If surgery is the best treatment option, your doctor will explain to you why he or she is recommending it, as well as the advantages and possible complications.