Graves’ Disease
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder and a common cause of hyperthyroidism. In people with Graves’ disease, the immune system develops antibodies that bind to proteins in the thyroid gland and stimulate the overproduction of thyroid hormones. Symptoms of Graves’ disease are caused by hyperthyroidism as well as the underlying autoimmune process.
Graves’ Disease falls under theAutoimmune Diseasecategory.
Last Updated:October 13, 2024
Graves' disease, also known as autoimmune hyperthyroidism, is an autoimmune disorder that leads to excessive hormone production by the thyroid gland and is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in Western countries. It affects 1 in 200 people, is more prevalent in women, and is associated with a higher risk of developing other autoimmune diseases.
Graves' disease can cause a variety of symptoms, including nervousness, rapid heartbeat, weight loss despite increased appetite, sweating, sleep disturbances, and enlargement of the thyroid. Additionally, up to half of the people affected may experience eye symptoms, and some may develop Graves' dermopathy, which is characterized by thickened skin, particularly on the legs and feet.
Graves’ disease is diagnosed through a combination of symptom evaluation, blood tests for thyroid hormone levels and autoantibodies, and radioactive iodine uptake testing. A thyroid scan measures iodine absorption, which helps confirm the diagnosis and differentiate it from other thyroid disorders.
The underlying autoimmune dysfunction that causes Graves' disease has no cure. However, there are treatment options for hyperthyroidism, which include surgery, medications, and radioiodine therapy.
Selenium and vitamin D may improve hyperthyroid symptoms in people with Graves' disease when they are combined with standard drug therapy. Other supplements studied for Graves' disease include antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics.
Diet can significantly affect Graves' disease because high-iodine foods and supplements may exacerbate hyperthyroidism. Additionally, treatment for hyperthyroidism can lead to hypothyroidism, which necessitates dietary adjustments to manage weight gain.
Current treatments for Graves’ disease, such as antithyroid therapies and ablative therapies, carry risks of symptom recurrence or the development of hypothyroidism. Emerging immunotherapies that aim to restore immune balance and maintain normal thyroid function without causing hypothyroidism have shown promise in early trials.
Graves' disease is caused by an autoimmune response in which the immune system produces autoantibodies that stimulate the thyroid gland, which leads to excessive thyroid hormone production. The condition results in symptoms that stem from both the autoimmune response and elevated thyroid hormone levels.
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