Graves disease is treated using medications and non-medication approaches together.

We analyzed the available evidence on how Graves disease is managed, and what we’ve found so far suggests that treatment typically involves a combination of medications and non-medication approaches [1]. This pattern appears consistently across the studies we reviewed, with no evidence contradicting this approach. Graves disease is an autoimmune condition that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much hormone, leading to symptoms like rapid heartbeat, weight loss, and anxiety. Medications used include antithyroid drugs, which slow hormone production, and beta-blockers, which help manage symptoms like tremors and fast heart rate. Non-medication approaches may include radioactive iodine therapy, which reduces thyroid activity, or surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid. Lifestyle changes, such as managing stress and adjusting diet, are also often part of the plan. We did not find any studies that suggest using only one method — whether medication or non-medication — is the standard. Instead, the evidence points to a layered strategy, where doctors tailor the combination based on the person’s symptoms, age, and preferences. This doesn’t mean every person needs all these options, or that one method is better than another. It simply means that, based on what we’ve reviewed so far, treatment tends to involve more than one tool working together. If you or someone you know has Graves disease, the best next step is to talk with a healthcare provider about which combination of approaches might fit your situation — not because one is proven right, but because the evidence we’ve seen shows this is how management is commonly approached.