Hyperthyroidism, graves disease

E05.9/E05.0

• Description
• Diagnostic criteria
• Medicine treatment
• Referral

DESCRIPTION

Hyperthyroidism is a pathological syndrome in which tissue is exposed to excessive amounts of circulating thyroid hormones.
The most common cause is Grave’s disease, although thyroiditis may also present with thyrotoxicosis.

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

Clinical

• Poor school performance.
• Warm moist hands.
• Tachycardia.
• Nervousness or anxiety.
• Thyromegaly.
• Weight loss.
• Tremor.
• Palpitations.
• Proptosis.
• Heat intolerance.
• Fatigue.

Investigations

• Elevated thyroxine (T₄) and suppressed TSH.

MEDICINE TREATMENT

• Carbimazole, oral, 0.5 mg/kg once daily.

AND

To block sympathetic hyperactivity:

• Atenolol, oral, 1–2 mg/kg as a single daily dose.

For children less than 10 kg:

• Propranolol, oral, 0.2–0.5mg/kg 6–12hourly.
  • Maximum dose: 1.5 mg/kg/dose 6–12hourly.

REFERRAL

• All patients for confirmation of diagnosis, initiation and follow up of therapy.