Graves' Disease
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Graves' Disease is a type of autoimmune disease in which the immune system
over stimulates the thyroid gland, causing hyperthyroidism.
Over-activity of the thyroid gland is also sometimes called "diffuse toxic
goiter." The thyroid gland helps set the rate of metabolism (the rate at which
the body uses energy), and when it is over-stimulated, it produces more thyroid
hormones than the body needs. High levels of thyroid hormones can cause
difficult side effects. This is an extremely rare disease that tends to affect
women over the age of 20. The incidence is about 5 in 10,000 people.
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An autoimmune disease occurs when the body's immune system becomes
misdirected and attacks the very organs, cells, or tissues that it was designed
to protect. About 75% of autoimmune diseases occur in women, most frequently
during their childbearing years.
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The most common symptoms of Gravefs Disease, or thyroid over-stimulation
include insomnia, irritability, weight loss without dieting, heat sensitivity,
increased perspiration, fine or brittle hair, muscular weakness, eye changes,
lighter menstrual flow, rapid heart beat, and hand tremors. Gravefs Disease is
the only kind of hyperthyroidism that is associated with inflammation of the
eyes, swelling of the tissue around the eyes, and protrusion, or bulging, of the
eyes. Some patients will develop lumpy reddish thickening of the skin in front
of the shins called pretibial myxedema. This skin condition is usually painless.
The symptoms of this disease can occur gradually or very suddenly and are
sometimes confused with other medical problems. Women can have Gravefs Disease
and have no obvious symptoms at all.
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The only way to positively know if you have Graves' Disease is to visit your
doctor. Your doctor will perform a simple blood test that will be able to tell
if your body has the correct amount of thyroid hormones.
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There are many treatments for Graves' Disease.
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Medications: There are some prescription medications that can
lower the amount of thyroid hormones produced by the body, regulating them to
normal levels.
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Surgery: Part or all of the thyroid gland will be removed. In
most cases, people who have surgery for Graves' Disease will develop an
under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism),
and will have to take thyroid replacement hormones for the rest of their
lives.
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Radioactive iodine: The iodine damages thyroid cells to shrink
the thyroid gland, to reduce hormone levels. Like surgery, this condition
usually leads to hypothyroidism, requiring medication for the rest of the
patient's life.
After a diagnosis is made and a treatment is selected, you should return to
your health care provider annually to make sure that your thyroid levels are
normal and do not need to be adjusted.
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If left untreated, Grave's Disease can lead to more serious complications,
including birth defects in pregnancy, increased risk of a miscarriage, and in
extreme cases, death. Gravesf Disease is often accompanied by an increase in
heart rate, which may lead to further heart complications.
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Thyroid Center
Thyroid Foundation of America
The Thyroid Society, Inc.
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Addison's Disease
