Marius N. Stan, M.D., is primarily working in the area of autoimmune thyroid diseases, with a specific interest in Graves' disease and Graves' ophthalmopathy. A second area of interest is centered around drugs that alter thyroid function, mainly the thyroid excess caused by amiodarone (amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis).

Dr. Stan's research aims to identify novel treatments as well as methods of prevention for these conditions. He is involved in both retrospective reviews of cases and clinical trials.

Focus areas

• Graves' disease. Dr. Stan and his colleagues identified hypothyroidism after therapy as a major problem for eye complications, and they now aim to prevent its manifestations through early therapy.
• Graves' ophthalmopathy. Dr. Stan aims to treat this condition with novel immunomodulators, specifically rituximab.
• Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis. Dr. Stan and his collaborators aim to identify factors that are responsible for this unpredictable disease.
• Post-surgical hypoparathyroidism. With his colleagues, Dr. Stan works to treat this condition with teriparatide, an agent that can restore normal calcium values, prevent symptoms and shorten hospitalizations.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Stan's research aims to improve patients' quality of life after therapy with radioactive iodine for Graves' disease. He and his colleagues also hope to offer patients more treatment options for Graves' ophthalmopathy, which is currently a condition without good therapy options.

The research into amiodarone-induce thyrotoxicosis will make patients and their doctors better equipped at defining this risk when using amiodarone. With regard to hypoparathyroidism, patients with this condition might be able to eliminate their symptoms of low calcium and leave the hospital sooner if the treatment being studied by Dr. Stan and his team turns out to be effective