Graves disease of the thyroid is an autoimmune condition where the body produces antibodies which target the thyroid gland.  The end result is an overactive thyroid state which requires treatment.

Standard treatment is medical with tablets (carbimazole, propythiouracil) which stop the thyroid gland from making too much thyroid hormone.

After 12-18 months of treatment the condition may settle by itself allowing the tablets to be withdrawn and the patient remain completely cured.  Unfortunately some patients relapse.

Definitive treatments may be necessary to completely cure the disease - the only options are surgery (total thyroidectomy) or radioactive iodine.

Mr McLaren regularly operates to cure Graves disease and has extremely high success rates - in particular ultra-low rates of hypocalcaemia after surgery.

The minimal access surgical approach offered will result in only 1 night being needed in hospital and the majority of patients not taking any painkillers after the surgery.  As a result of these dramatic improvements in surgery many more patients are opting for this approach as an 'instant' cure for Graves disease.