It has been shown, that an increase of the autoantibodies can often be found several weeks before the onset of clinical deterioration. Consequently, the measurement of the antibodies enables a preventive therapeutic management. They are the basis used for the focal disease, restricted to ocular muscles. Either surgical thymectomy or immunosuppressant treatment with corticosteroids and azathioprine is indicated for more severe generalized disorders. The single steps of treatment depend on the severity of the clinical symptoms.
Plasma exchange produces short-term clinical improvement.
It is used primarily to stabilize the condition of patients in myasthenic crisis or in patients who do not respond to other methods.