Count Ivan VIII Drašković: a case of Graves' orbitopathy?

Hormones (Athens). 2021 Mar;20(1):213-215. doi: 10.1007/s42000-020-00198-7. Epub 2020 Apr 16.

Abstract

There is a possibility that Count Ivan VIII Drašković (1740-1787), a member of one of the oldest and most famous Croatian noble families, had Graves' disease and suffered from a thyroid disorder. Our suspicions were aroused by certain data, including his personal history, his lifestyle, including use of tobacco and iodine, as well as stress, and, finally, two portraits. If he was affected by Graves' disease and orbitopathy, his poor health might have been a consequence of thyroid disease, which was further worsened by injury and tobacco use. Later spontaneous remission could have been induced by higher iodine intake and bed rest.

Keywords: Count Ivan VIII Drašković; Graves’ disease; Iodine; Orbitopathy; Spontaneous remission; Tobacco.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Portrait

MeSH terms

  • Art / history*
  • Croatia
  • Graves Ophthalmopathy / pathology*
  • History, 18th Century
  • Humans
  • Male