Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0018799 (heart disease)
 34,133 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that comprises the triad of diffuse toxic goiter, ophthalmopathy, and infiltrative dermopathy, although all three are not necessarily present in a given patient. The manifestations of Graves' disease vary, depending on the patient's age and other factors. Choice of therapy is influenced by the patient's age, history of heart disease, pregnancy status, expectations, and preferences. Most patients are treated with either radioactive iodine (sodium iodide I 131 [Iodotope]) or the antithyroid drugs propylthiouracil or methimazole (Tapazole). Antithyroid drugs may be more effective in producing long-term remission if levothyroxine sodium (Levothroid, Levoxine, Synthroid) is added to the regimen after the patient becomes euthyroid. Hypothyroidism occurs in many patients following 131I therapy but is also seen in a substantial number of patients who have been treated with thyroidectomy and even in some who have taken antithyroid drugs. Long-term follow-up is necessary, regardless of type of initial treatment, and should include an annual physical examination and measurement of serum concentrations of thyrotropin and the free thyroxine index, both of which should be maintained in the normal range.
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PMID:Intervention in Graves' disease. Choosing among imperfect but effective treatment options. 128 Aug 17

Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined by elevated concentrations of thyrotropin (TSH) and normal levels of serum thyroxine in the absence of overt symptoms. Autoimmune thyroid disease is the most frequent cause. Prevalence is between 2.5% and 10%, depending on the patient population. The disorder may not be as asymptomatic as previously thought; mild but consistent hypothyroid symptoms may exist in 25% to 50% of patients. Subtle cardiac defects may be present and are probably most clinically relevant in patients with existing heart disease. Mild disturbances in cholesterol metabolism are a more common finding. Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism must be individualized. The lowest dose of levothyroxine sodium (Levothroid, Levoxine, Synthroid) required to normalize TSH levels and improve symptoms yet avoid unnecessary side effects should be used.
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PMID:Subclinical hypothyroidism. Understanding is the key to decision making. 832 88

Some degree of hypothyroidism is common in the elderly. It affects 5-20% of women and 3-8% of men. The occurrence varies with genetics with a high prevalence in Caucasians, and the disease is more common in populations with a high iodine intake. The common causes of hypothyroidism are autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland and previous thyroid surgery or radioiodine therapy. Various types of medication, including amiodarone, cytokines and lithium, often induce hypothyroidism. Symptoms may be atypical and measurement of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels should be part of biochemical testing for undiagnosed medical conditions in elderly subjects. The finding of an elevated serum TSH level should be confirmed by repeated testing and supplemented with measurements of serum levels of thyroxine (T(4)) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies to verify, quantify and subclassify the abnormality. The recommended and appropriate replacement therapy for hypothyroidism is levothyroxine sodium. The initial replacement dose should be low if heart disease is suspected. Because of the long half-life of levothyroxine sodium small dosage adjustments may be performed by adding or withdrawing a tablet once or twice weekly. Levothyroxine sodium is only partly absorbed after oral ingestion, and food, minerals, drugs and tablet composition influence absorption. Studies performed a few years ago suggested that a combination of levothyroxine sodium and liothyronine may improve clinical results, but recent more comprehensive studies have not supported this hypothesis. Accordingly, liothyronine replacement is not documented to be of benefit. If liothyronine is added to replacement, the liothyronine dose should be kept low, within the physiological range and, preferably be administered twice daily. Thyroid hormone therapy has no beneficial effect above placebo in elderly individuals with normal serum TSH levels and T(4) levels. The major risk of levothyroxine sodium therapy is over-replacement, with anxiety, muscle wasting, osteoporosis and atrial fibrillation as adverse effects. Subclinical hypothyroidism with elevated serum TSH levels but T(4) levels within the laboratory reference range is a mild variant of overt hypothyroidism. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism should be informed about the disease and offered the possibility of replacement. Only some patients treated for subclinical hypothyroidism will feel better after therapy. In elderly patients on replacement therapy, care should include estimation of serum TSH level once or twice a year, with small dosage adjustments of levothyroxine sodium to keep serum TSH level within the normal range.
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PMID:Hypothyroidism in the elderly: pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. 1566 47