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Grave’s Disease

Grave’s Disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the Thyroid causing changes that are related to Hyperthyroidism.

With this disease – the body attacks its own thyroid and causes it to make more thyroid hormone than the body needs.

The thyroid is a gland in the neck that helps regulate different hormones that help regulate how the body uses energy and metabolism. This condition is seen more often in women – nearly 6-7 times as often.

If the patient with Grave’s Disease and/or Hyperthyroidism – and they don’t receive treatment, there can be devastating effects on the body from bones to muscle, to the menstrual cycle and fertility.

Grave’s disease is most often seen in women from ages 30-50. But, they can technically occur at any age.

People with other autoimmune diseases are more likely to develop Grave’s disease.

Symptoms:

–  Weight loss
–  Fatigue
–  Increased appetite
–  Irritability
–  Muscle weakness
–  Brittle nails
–  Difficultly sleeping
–  Enlarged thyroid
 –  Exophthalmos –  excessive protrusion of the eyes
–  Edema – excessive swelling
–  Tremor
–  Rapid heartbeats
–  others

Potential Causes

1.)  Genetics is often the leading potential cause of autoimmune conditions.
2.)  Potentially a trigger such as a virus
3.)  Unknown

Diagnosis

1.)  Blood work is helpful such as low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and high T3, T4 and iodine.

2.)  Biopsy of the thyroid may be necessary

Treatment:

1.)  Medication

Antithyroid Medication
. Propylthiouracil
. Methimazole
.  Carbimazole (UK)

2.)  Radioiodine

3.)  Thyroidectomy