What is the advantage of "Block and Replace Therapy" in Graves' hy!
Question: I have been diagnosed with Graves' disease for five years, treated with antithyroid meds. Now I'm going hypo for the second time. It would seem like with block and replace I'd be on a more stable footing.
Answers: I have been diagnosed with Graves' disease for five years, treated with antithyroid meds. Now I'm going hypo for the second time. It would seem like with block and replace I'd be on a more stable footing.
Block and replace therapy means that in addition to your anti-thyroid medication (block) you would also be put onto a low dose of thyroid replacement hormone such as thyroxine (replace). It is thought that this protocol leads to more stable thyroid levels as well as reducing the chances of you becoming resistant to your medication. Some research also suggests this approach keeps the disease in remission for longer periods than with a single medication. I hope that helps.
Thyroid hormones vary and that's why the medicine needs to be adjusted. About.com has some great thyroid info.