Graves disease

Graves' Disease Rarely Life-threatening But Can Lead to Heart Problems, Weak Bones August 26, 2011 Dear Mayo Clinic: What can you tell me about Graves' disease? I am a 33-year-old woman and was diagnosed last week, but had never heard of this condition before. How is it treated? Answer: Graves' disease — a disorder in which the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormone than the body needs — is the most common form of hyperthyroidism in the U.S. Although it can affect both women and men and occur at any age, the condition is five to 10 times more common in women and typically starts before age 40. Graves' disease is rarely life-threatening. However, without treatment, it can lead to heart problems and weak and brittle bones. Graves' disease is known as an autoimmune disorder. That's because with the disease, your immune system attacks your thyroid — a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck. Antibodies called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) then cause your thyroid to make excessive amounts of two thyroid hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones help regulate your metabolism (how your body uses energy). However, when your body makes too much of them, many bodily functions can be kicked into overdrive — causing everything from sweating and a rapid heartbeat to sudden weight loss and fatigue. Other signs and symptoms may include anxiety or nervousness, sleep difficulties, changes in menstrual cycles, frequent bowel movements an...

Graves’ disease (also known as Graves disease) is an autoimmune disease which usually involves the thyroid gland becoming overactive. It also can involve the eyes ( Endocrine Connection Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system starts to make antibodies which target areas of the body that they should not. Usually, the immune system is supposed to protect our bodies and help fight disease. The antibodies in Graves' disease (thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies) primarily target the thyroid gland. In response to these antibodies, the thyroid gland becomes overactive and starts to make too much Although Graves disease most commonly targets the thyroid gland, the same antibodies can impact other areas of the body like the eyes (Thyroid Eye Disease) and the skin (Graves Dermopathy). In Thyroid Eye Disease, these same antibodies cause growth of the tissues in the back of the eyes, causing eye bulging, pain, and double vision, among other symptoms. Graves Dermopathy is a rare complication of Graves disease and is likely caused by inflammation in tissues under the skin. Pregnant women with uncontrolled Graves’ disease are at greater risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and having a baby with low birth weight. Diagnosis and Prevention Below are some tests that are used to diagnose Graves' Disease: Clinic Visit:During a clinic visit, your healthcare provider will discuss your symptoms, as well as personal and family medical histories. They will also check f...

Graves' disease care at Mayo Clinic Your Mayo Clinic care team Mayo Clinic has been researching and treating Graves' disease and its associated eye-related changes, called Graves' ophthalmopathy, for many years, as well as specializing in surgery to treat both Graves' disease and Graves' ophthalmopathy. Advanced diagnosis and treatment The tradition of innovation in treatment and research of thyroid disorders, including Graves' disease, continues today. Mayo Clinic has a research team dedicated to actively investigating the causes of Graves' disease and Graves' ophthalmopathy, and is conducting clinical trials evaluating new potential treatments. Swimming, biking and running through Graves' disease diagnosis Lynn Rothmeier doesn't just work with athletes for a living as a certified athletic trainer at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She is an athlete herself and has been participating in triathlons since 2005. "I started with marathons and just running, but realized, because of the field I'm in, that's a lot of pounding on my body," says the 51-year-old. "So I started swimming and biking and doing triathlons. And when I… Expertise and rankings Mayo Clinic endocrinologists and other experts are respected for their skill and experience in treating Graves' disease. Each year, Mayo Clinic doctors treat more than 1,600 people with Graves' disease. Nationally recognized expertise Mayo Clinic has a specialized endocrinology, otolaryngology and ophthalmology te...

This content is created or selected by the Healthgrades editorial team and is funded by an advertising sponsor. The content is subject to the Healthgrades medical review process for accuracy, balance and objectivity. The content is not edited or otherwise influenced by the advertisers appearing on this page except with the possible suggestion of the broad topic area. For more information, read the Healthgrades advertising policy. Getty Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) in the United States. If not treated, it can contribute to serious and potentially fatal conditions. However, treatments are available that can successfully manage Graves’ disease. Knowing what these options are may help you discuss them with your physician and decide which treatment offers you the best prognosis. How Graves’ disease can shorten your life Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes your thyroid to produce too much hormone. It is relatively common—affecting about 1 in every 200 Americans, mostly women, who are 5 to 10 times more likely than men to develop it. Yet, it still is often misdiagnosed, because symptoms of overactive thyroid can mimic those of other conditions. Untreated hyperthyroidism can cause a variety of medical problems, including: • Irregular heartbeat, which can trigger blood clots, strokes and heart failure • Thinning, brittle bones and osteoporosis • Graves’ ophthalmopathy, an eye disease which can cause bulging eyes,...

How Do I Find Out If I Have Graves' Disease? Although To confirm a diagnosis of Graves' disease, your doctor may conduct a If bulging eyeballs (called exophthalmos) is the only symptom, your doctor will probably run blood tests to check for What Are the Treatments for Graves' Disease? If you have Graves' disease, or even suspect that you have it, you should have a professional diagnosis and, if necessary, a treatment plan that suits your particular condition. Although the disorder is rooted in a malfunctioning Conventional Medicine for Graves' Disease Beta-blockers such as The two most frequently used treatments involve disabling the thyroid's ability to produce hormones. One common approach uses a strong dose of radioactive iodine to destroy cells in the thyroid gland. This procedure attempts to halt excess hormone production by thinning the ranks of cells responsible for manufacturing the hormones. The amount of radioactive iodine received depends on the estimated size of the thyroid -- determined either through a At the beginning of the treatment, you will be given a capsule or liquid containing the radioactive iodine. Either way you take it, you should not feel any effects as the substance enters your system. Most of the iodine will gather and remain in your thyroid; excess amounts will be excreted in You probably won't notice any changes for several days after taking the radioactive iodine, but if your thyroid gland feels inflamed and sore, It should be noted that mos...

Hyperthyroidism means your thyroid gland is too active. This tiny gland is found in your neck. An overactive thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. This makes your metabolism work at a faster rate. What causes hyperthyroidism? Hyperthyroidism has several causes. These include: • Graves' disease. This is an autoimmune disorder. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It happens when an antibody overstimulates the thyroid. This condition is most often found in young to middle-aged women. It also tends to run in families. • Toxic nodular goiter. This condition happens when 1 or more lumps (nodules) of the thyroid gland become too active. Health experts don't know what causes this to happen. • Thyroiditis. It occurs when the thyroid becomes irritated. It temporarily causes the thyroid to be overactive. The thyroid then often becomes underactive. Hyperthyroidism may occur for other reasons. These include: • Taking too much thyroid hormone medicine to treat an underactive thyroid • Having too much iodine in your diet • Having a noncancer (benign) tumor in the pituitary gland that makes your thyroid overactive Who is at risk for hyperthyroidism? These things may make it more likely for you to have hyperthyroidism: • You are a woman • You are older than age 60 • You have had thyroid problems in the past • Your family has a history of thyroid problems • You have certain conditions, such as type 1 diabetes • You consume too much iodine. This can happen if you eat a lo...

• Racing heartbeat • Trembling hands • Weakness in the muscles, especially of the hips and shoulders • Difficulty sleeping • Overheating and increased sweating • Irritability • Memory problems • • Graves' ophthalmopathy) • Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland that may cause swelling in the neck) • Unexplained weight loss Summary Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that makes your thyroid gland overactive, putting your body into overdrive. Some common symptoms are rapid heartbeat, sensitivity to heat and increased sweating, eye irritation and bulging eyes, slight tremors in the hands, and irritability. Less frequent signs include red lumps on the shins, brittle nails, hair loss, vomiting, anemia, or jaundice. If Graves' disease isn't treated, it can lead to heart problems, thinning bones, and reduced fertility or menstrual changes. If you have Graves' disease and feel like you may lose consciousness, have a very fast and irregular heartbeat, or find yourself short of breath, call 911 or go to the emergency room. A Word From Verywell If you are diagnosed with Graves' disease after experiencing symptoms, know that there are effective treatments available to help. People with Graves' disease usually respond well to treatment. Your healthcare provider can refer you to a specialist in hormonal diseases, called an • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. • National Organization of Rare Diseases. • American Thyroid Association. • Hegazi MO, Ahmed S. Jour...