$Unique_ID{BRK00934}
$Pretitle{Endocrine Glands and Metabolism}
$Title{Concerned About the Health of Our First Lady}
$Subject{thyroid Grave's Disease goiter Mrs. Bush}
$Volume{C-22}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Concerned About the Health of Our First Lady


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QUESTION:  We are quite concerned about the health of our first lady, Barbara
Bush, and do not understand the use of radiation treatments for her thyroid
condition.  Can you also explain the relationship of her eye symptoms with her
other problems with the thyroid?

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ANSWER:  Although I have not been consulted by the White House about Mrs.
Bush's condition (although I would gladly make a house call) there have been
sufficient detail reported in the press for me to understand what has been
going on and explain it to you.  The first lady suffers from an overactive
thyroid, (also called hyperthyroidism, Grave's Disease and goiter).  Grave's
disease may cause a swelling in the neck (goiter) which is the enlarged
thyroid gland itself, rapid heart beat (tachycardia), tremor, increased
nervousness and sweating, weight loss, as well as a typical bulging of the
eyes, excessive tearing and photophobia (eye pain from bright light) although
I do not know that Mrs. Bush has all of these.  What is clear is that she was
treated with radioactive iodine on April 12 to destroy some of the thyroid
tissue.  Following that she was treated with prednisone, a cortisone like
medication, to help reduce the irritation and swelling.  Reportedly, her
response to these medications was not satisfactory.  The muscles which lie
behind the eyeball, and which control the movement of the eye were swollen, a
common situation in Grave's Disease.  This swelling causes the eyes to bulge
forward, but also puts pressure on the optic nerve which is in the same area,
and may impair the vision.  The course of daily low intensity radiation, which
is scheduled for 10 days, is aimed at the muscles behind the eye, and
hopefully, will reduce the swelling.  This treatment has been used for a
number of years at Walter Reed Hospital, where Mrs. Bush is being treated.
This should help alleviate some of the discomfort and symptoms that were of
concern to Mrs. Bush.  Incidentally, the disease is named for Robert Graves,
an Irish physician, who first described the condition in 1835, in the London
Medical Surgical Journal.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
