What is Graves' disease?
Graves' disease is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism).
Although a number of disorders may result in hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease is a common cause.
Although Graves' disease may affect anyone, it's more common among women and in people younger than age 40.
The primary treatment goals are to reduce the amount of thyroid hormones that the body produces and lessen the severity of symptoms.
Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of Graves' disease include:
- Anxiety and irritability
- A fine tremor of the hands or fingers
- Heat sensitivity and an increase in perspiration or warm, moist skin
- Weight loss, despite normal eating habits
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter)
- Frequent bowel movements
- Bulging eyes (Graves' ophthalmopathy)
- Fatigue
- Thick, red skin usually on the shins or tops of the feet (Graves' dermopathy)
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Sleep disturbance
- Change in menstrual cycles
Graves' ophthalmopathy
About 30% of people with Graves' disease show some signs and symptoms of Graves' ophthalmopathy. Graves' ophthalmopathy affect muscles and other tissues around your eyes.
Signs and symptoms may include:
- Bulging eyes
- Gritty sensation in the eyes
- Pressure or pain in the eyes
- Puffy or retracted eyelids
- Reddened or inflamed eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Double vision
- Vision loss
Graves' dermopathy
An uncommon manifestation of Graves' disease, called Graves' dermopathy, is the reddening and thickening of the skin, most often on your shins or the tops of your feet.
Graves' disease is caused by a malfunction in the body's disease-fighting immune system. It's unknown why this happens.
The immune system normally produces antibodies designed to target a specific virus, bacterium or other foreign substance. In Graves' disease — for reasons that aren't well understood — the immune system produces an antibody to one part of the cells in the hormone-producing gland in the neck (thyroid gland).
Excessive production of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism) due to immune system disorders.
Although anyone can develop Graves' disease, many factors can increase the risk of disease, including:
- Family history.
- Sex.
- Age.
- Other autoimmune disorders.
- Emotional or physical stress.
- Pregnancy.
- Smoking.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/graves-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20356240
