ATD Use on the Rise
May
13
Written by:
5/13/2011
Studies conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins show a dramatic increase in ATD prescriptions and with methimazole replacing PTU as the drug of choice. Read my latest article on the topic. This study shows that changes in HIPAA and the Internet itself have given patients the ability to make their own choices, and at last we're catching up with the rest of the world. Worldwide, ATDs have been by far the most common treatment for Graves' disease. Read the JCEM article for more information.
5 comment(s) so far...
This is great news Elaine...! :-) I am seeing this trend on the few thyroid boards that I participate at to suggest to people to try ATD as first line treatments and then research all other options.
{{{hugs}}}
By mmztcass on
5/31/2011
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I am on ATD tapazole. It is working slowly but I feel I'm going hypo..
Lisa
By llucas on
6/19/2011
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Hi Lisa,
The dose needs to be reduced after 6-8 weeks or as soon as FT4 falls into the normal or reference range. If the dose is too high, you will move into hypothyroidism.
By emoore on
6/20/2011
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I am so glad to read this. I just got off the phone with another doctor pushing RAI for my 12 year old son with Graves. He hasn't even been on the methimazole for a month! I have searched high and low for a doctor who understands how nutrition and supplements help with GD, but have had no luck so far. His current endo. is ignoring us because we chose to try ATDs first before jumping into RAI. I am so thankful for sites like this!
Lori
By MattsMom on
8/15/2011
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Hi Lori,
You wouldn't necessarily have to see an endo although pediatricians generally refer Graves' patients to endos. Since your son is already 12 you may be able to find an internist or better yet an integrationist physician or a good family practice doctor capable of treating him. You can see from the JCEM article that's linked to my blog that most Graves' patients aren't treated by endos. Best, Elaine
By emoore on
8/15/2011
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