If your child has any of the above symptoms, a simple blood test is necessary to check his or her blood for free thyroxine (T4), TSH and TRAb levels. An elevated free T4 level associated with a suppressed TSH level and positive TRAb level will confirm the diagnosis of Graves' Disease.
The first-line treatment is consuming carbimazole tablets which reduces the free T4 levels. If there are symptoms of palpitations and tachycardia, propranolol is given to alleviate these symptoms. When Graves' Disease is not well-controlled by carbimazole, the second-line treatment is radioactive iodine or surgery to remove the thyroid gland.
During treatment, there is a need for close follow-ups with a series of blood tests. All children will require treatment for a minimum of 2 years during which some may achieve remission. Remission means having normal thyroid function even after discontinuing carbimazole but there will still be a risk of a relapse.