Quality of life after primary therapy for Graves’ disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Quality of life after primary therapy for Graves’ disease: long-term anti-thyroid drug versus radioiodine-induced hypothyroidism and thyroidectomy
IRAS ID
347660
Contact name
Kusuma Boregowda
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea Bay University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Thyroid hormones are essential for optimal health and well-being. In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is overactive and produces excess thyroid hormones leading to symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, and poor quality of life. Graves disease is the commonest cause of an over-active thyroid gland. The three treatment options for Graves’ disease are: (1) anti-thyroid drugs, (2) radioactive iodine, and (3) surgical removal of the gland. Anti-thyroid drugs reduce thyroid hormone production, and are usually given initially for 12-18 months. Patients who continue to be over-active after initial treatment are traditionally offered radioactive iodine, or less commonly, surgery. Radioactive iodine and surgery are effective treatments but involve destruction or removal of the thyroid gland followed by lifelong thyroid hormone replacement (with a drug called Levothyroxine).
As an alternative to radioactive iodine, patients who relapse could continue to take anti-thyroid drugs in the long-term. This option has been shown to be safe and effective in maintaining normal thyroid gland function, and an increasing number of doctors now treat patients in this way. However, long-term anti-thyroid drug treatment is not considered in current treatment guidelines, and its impact on quality of life has not been established. This study aims to assess quality of life in patients treated for Graves’ disease with either long term anti-thyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, or surgery, and to determine if patients treated with long-term antithyroid drugs have better quality of life than those treated with radioactive iodine or surgery.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/WM/0186
Date of REC Opinion
24 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion