This entity is called euthyroid ophthalmic Graves' disease. It is characterized by plaques of confluent areas of violaceous pretibial induration. The association of thyrotoxicosis and bilateral ophthalmopathy is pathognomonic of Graves' disease. However, variation in pattern of distribution is not unusual, and may be accounted for by the presence of patches of thyroiditis. There is no curative therapy for Grave's disease.
Treatment is designed to reduce the thyroid's ability to produce hormones.
They both inhibit the organic binding of iodide. In addition, propylthiouracil inhibits the peripheral conversion of T4 to T3. The half-life of propylthiouracil is 1.5 h while that of methimazole is 6 h. The initial dose of propylthiouracil is 200 to 300 mg up to 1200 mg daily every 8 to 12 h or 4 to 6 h when large doses are required. The usual regimen of methimazole is 20 to 40 mg daily in one to three divided doses.