What is Graves' Disease?What is Graves' Disease?
Graves’ disease is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the thyroid glands to make excess thyroid hormone, a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Graves’ disease is common in people with a family history of thyroid problems. Graves’ disease is caused when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid glands causing it to make more thyroid hormones than required by the body.
Symptoms of Graves’ DiseaseSymptoms of Graves’ Disease
- Irregular Heartbeat: It is one of the most common signs of graves’ disease. The effects of thyroid hormones on the cardiovascular system cause the heart to beat irregularly.
- Weight Loss: The production of excess thyroid hormones accelerates the metabolism making people lose weight despite increasing appetite.
- Tremors: Fine tremors are another common symptom of Graves’ disease. Tremors are common in the hands.
- Enlarged Thyroid Glands: The thyroid glands in the neck may appear enlarged resulting in noticeable swelling in the neck.
- Heat Intolerance & Excessive Sweating:The excess thyroid hormones increase metabolism leading to increased sweating and discomfort in warm environments.
- Other symptoms include changes in the menstrual cycle, eye problems, anxiety, nervousness, hair loss, insomnia, and more.
What Causes Graves’ Disease?What Causes Graves’ Disease?
Graves’ disease results when something triggers the immune system to overproduce thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin which attaches itself to healthy thyroid cells, causing them to overproduce thyroid hormones. Some of the commonly associated factors include:
- Genetic Predisposition: Graves’ disease runs in families indicating a hereditary component.
- Stress: Stress, emotional or physical stress can influence the immune system and trigger the onset.
- Hormonal Factors: Hormonal fluctuations particularly during pregnancy or postpartum can also trigger the condition indicating a possible hormonal link.
- Virus & Infections: Several types of viruses and infections may also trigger the autoimmune response in genetically susceptible individuals.
Risk Factors of Graves’ DiseaseRisk Factors of Graves’ Disease
There are several risk factors that increase the chance of developing Graves’ disease, including:
- Genetics: A family history of thyroid conditions or other autoimmune diseases increases the risk.
- Smoking: Smoking also increases the risk of developing the condition and is known to worsen eye conditions related to Graves’ disease.
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop Graves’ disease than men.
- Age: Individuals aged between 30 to 60 years are more prone to developing this condition.
- Other risk factors include stress, pregnancy, certain medications, infections, and more increase the risk of Graves’ disease.
Complications of Graves’ DiseaseComplications of Graves’ Disease
Complication
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Description
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Graves’ Ophthalmopathy
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Graves’s disease can cause the eye muscles to become inflamed pushing the eye outwards. Plus, it can cause eye dryness, sensitivity to light, and more.
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Heart Problems
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The condition can lead to irregular heartbeats, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and other cardiovascular conditions.
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Osteoporosis
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Excess thyroid hormones can interfere with the body’s ability to incorporate calcium into bones.
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Skin Changes
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Graves’ disease also leads to redness & thinking of the skin, especially in the shins.
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Menstrual & Fertility Issues
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The condition is also associated with an increased risk of miscarriages, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and more.
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Diagnosis of Graves' DiseaseDiagnosis of Graves' Disease
- Thyroid Blood Test: A thyroid blood test helps identify the level of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormones in the blood.
- Thyroid Antibody Blood Test: Thyroid antibody blood test involves detecting antibodies linked with Graves’ disease.
- Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test: A test to identify the amount of iodine the thyroid glands absorb.
- Doppler Ultrasound: Doppler ultrasound helps to check for the increased blood flow in the thyroid glands.
Treatment of Graves’ DiseaseTreatment of Graves’ Disease
Graves’ disease is a chronic condition, though the thyroid hormone levels can be managed with medications and other treatment options.
- Antithyroid Medications: These medications can help reduce and block thyroid hormone production. Antithyroid medications include methimazole, propylthiouracil, etc.
- Radioiodine Therapy: Radioiodine therapy gradually destroys thyroid cells resulting in shrinking of thyroid glands and normalisation of hormone levels.
- Surgery: Surgery or thyroidectomy is a process of surgically removing all the parts of the thyroid glands.