Endocrinology: Graves disease: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Endocrinology: Graves disease

Sample item

A young woman has weight loss, diffuse non-tender goitre, exophthalmos and pretibial myxoedema. Which antibody is responsible?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. TSH receptor stimulating antibody

Graves disease results from stimulating antibodies against the TSH receptor, producing hyperthyroidism, diffuse goitre, orbitopathy and dermopathy. Treatment includes thionamides, radioiodine or surgery. Smoking worsens orbitopathy.

Option by option

  • A. Anti-TPO antibody only

    Anti-TPO is characteristic of Hashimoto thyroiditis, though it is also present in Graves.

  • B. TSH receptor stimulating antibody (correct)

    Correct. TRAb drive Graves disease.

  • C. Antinuclear antibody

    ANA is not the cause.

  • D. Anti-thyroglobulin antibody

    Anti-thyroglobulin is nonspecific.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, TSH receptor stimulating antibody. Graves disease results from stimulating antibodies against the TSH receptor, producing hyperthyroidism, diffuse goitre, orbitopathy and dermopathy.

Why is "Anti-TPO antibody only" not the answer?

Anti-TPO is characteristic of Hashimoto thyroiditis, though it is also present in Graves.

Why is "Antinuclear antibody" not the answer?

ANA is not the cause.

Why is "Anti-thyroglobulin antibody" not the answer?

Anti-thyroglobulin is nonspecific.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: Graves disease in General Medicine. Treatment includes thionamides, radioiodine or surgery. Smoking worsens orbitopathy.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Endocrinology: Graves disease?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.