Endocrinology: Graves ophthalmopathy: 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 ophthalmopathy

Sample item

A smoker with Graves disease and active thyroid eye disease asks about treatment options. Which treatment may worsen the eye disease?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Radioiodine therapy without steroid cover

Radioiodine can exacerbate Graves ophthalmopathy, particularly in smokers, and prednisolone cover reduces the risk. Smoking cessation is the most important modifiable measure. Moderate to severe active disease needs steroids or teprotumumab.

Option by option

  • A. Smoking cessation

    Stopping smoking improves outcome.

  • B. Selenium supplementation

    Selenium is helpful in mild disease.

  • C. Radioiodine therapy without steroid cover (correct)

    Correct. Radioiodine can precipitate or worsen eye disease.

  • D. Antithyroid drugs

    Antithyroid drugs do not worsen the eye disease.

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 C, Radioiodine therapy without steroid cover. Radioiodine can exacerbate Graves ophthalmopathy, particularly in smokers, and prednisolone cover reduces the risk.

Why is "Smoking cessation" not the answer?

Stopping smoking improves outcome.

Why is "Selenium supplementation" not the answer?

Selenium is helpful in mild disease.

Why is "Antithyroid drugs" not the answer?

Antithyroid drugs do not worsen the eye disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: Graves ophthalmopathy in General Medicine. Smoking cessation is the most important modifiable measure. Moderate to severe active disease needs steroids or teprotumumab.

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 ophthalmopathy?

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.