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  1. Graves' diseaseEndocrine disease
    PrevalenceSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentsDoctors
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  2. Grave's disease - Causes

    Verified Expert

    • The causes include:
    • It is caused due to overproduction of the thyroid hormone as a result of a malfunction of the immune system. The exact reason is unknown.
    • The pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain controls the thyroid hormone production. The antibody released in this condition, Thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb), regulates the pituitary gland, leading to overproduction of thyroid hormone.
    • Grave’s ophthalmopathy is caused due to the build up of carbohydrates in the muscles and tissues behind the eyes.
    • The risk factors include:
    • Gender - Women are at more risk than men
    • Ageing - usually affects people above the age 40
    • Pregnancy
    • Smoking
    • Family history
    • Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes

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    Complications

    Verified Expert

    Complications associated with this disease condition are:

    • Pregnancy issues – complication may include miscarriage
    • Heart Disorder – heart rhythm disorder and structural changes in the heart muscles
    • Thyroid Strom – hyperthyroidism if untreated lead to this life-threatening condition
    • Brittle Bones –As this condition is related to calcium regulation, osteoporosis can occur

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    Symptoms

    Verified Expert
    Contact your provider if experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms.

    The symptoms may vary significantly from person to person. Some of the common symptoms are:

    • Enlargement of your thyroid gland (goiter)
    • Sudden weight loss
    • Mood swings
    • Heat sensitivity and an increase in perspiration or warm, moist skin
    • Abnormalities in menstrual cycle
    • Erectile dysfunction
    • Frequent bowel movements
    • Weakness
    • Change in skin texture and color, especially on top of the feet. (Graves' dermopathy)
    • Palpitation, fast heart beat

    Symptoms of Grave’s Opthalmopathy include:

    • Puffy eyes
    • Pain in the eye
    • Change in vision
    • Bulging eyes
    • Light sensitivity
    • Redness in eye

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    What health problems can you have with Graves' disease?
    Another health problem you can have with untreated or poorly managed Graves' disease is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes you to have weak, brittle bones, making them more likely to break. Your bones become weak and brittle when they don’t hold enough calcium.
    webmd.com

    Diagnosis

    Verified Expert
    One or more of these tests may be recommended by your medical provider.
    Diagnosis involves physical examination and other tests to ascertain the condition.

    Common tests & procedures

    Physical examination: Includes checking blood pressure, heart rate, examining bulging of the eyes, observing thyroid gland for enlargement (goiter).

    Thyroid function tests (TFTs): To measure the thyroid hormone (TH and TSH) levels.

    Blood test: To identify the associated antibody TRAb in the blood.

    Radioactive Iodine Uptake test: The amount of iodine absorption by thyroid gland help determine the disease condition. Image scan pattern iodine uptake will be useful in the diagnosis.

    Ultrasound: High frequency sound waves used to image thyroid gland, helps to identify enlargement.

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    Treatment

    Verified Expert

    Treatment aims at either controlling the overproduction of thyroid hormone or blocking the activity of hormone that is overproduced.

    Medication

    Antithyroid medication: Control the overproduction of thyroid hormone.

    Propylthiouracil . Methimazole

    Beta blockers: Block the activity of hormone that is overproduced and provides relief from symptoms.

    Propranolol . Atenolol . Metoprolol . Nadolol

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    Source: Focus Medica. For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.
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    Table of Contents
    Causes
    Complications
    Symptoms
    What health problems can you have with Graves' disease?
    Diagnosis
    Ask an expert
    Treatment
     
  1. Autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland
    Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland12. It is the most common cause of an overactive thyroid1. The gland produces too much thyroid hormone, a condition known as hyperthyroidism2. Thyroid hormones regulate body temperature, heart rate and metabolism. An overactive thyroid causes problems with organs like the heart, as well as bones and muscles2. It is important that Graves’ disease is diagnosed and treated early because the condition can affect heart function, bone structure and the eyes1.
    Learn more:

    Graves’ disease is the most common cause of an overactive thyroid. It is important that Graves’ disease is diagnosed and treated early because the condition can affect heart function, bone structure and the eyes. What is Graves’ disease? Graves' disease is caused by an abnormality of the immune system.

    Graves' disease | healthdirect

    www.healthdirect.gov.au/graves-disease

    Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. The gland produces too much thyroid hormone, a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Thyroid hormones regulate body temperature, heart rate and metabolism. An overactive thyroid causes problems with organs like the heart, as well as bones and muscles. Treatments can help.

    Graves’ Disease: What It Is, Causes, Symp…

    my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15244-grav…
  2. People also ask
    Who died from Graves' disease?
    Sir Cecil Spring Rice, British ambassador to the United States during World War I, died suddenly of the disease in 1918. [ 83 ] Ern Malley was an acclaimed Australian poet whose work was not published until after his death from Graves' disease in 1943.

    Graves' disease - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org
    Is DiGeorge syndrome an autoimmune disorder?

    Dr. Mohan P. Abraham

    M.D., FAAFP (Family Physician) · 40 years of exp

    DiGeorge syndrome is a condition where a small part of chromosome 22 is missing. This results in several developmental problems of the body systems and risk of developing autoimmune disorder is higher among DGS.
    2 more answers
    bing.com
    What health problems can you have with Graves' disease?
    Another health problem you can have with untreated or poorly managed Graves' disease is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes you to have weak, brittle bones, making them more likely to break. Your bones become weak and brittle when they don’t hold enough calcium.

    Graves' Disease - What is Graves' Disease and What Causes It? - WebMD

    webmd.com
    Does Graves' disease have a genetic predisposition?
    Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease and has a genetic predisposition. However, no specific gene has been identified for screening to date.

    Graves’ Disease - American Thyroid Association

    thyroid.org
    What parts of the body does Graves' disease affect?
    Thyroid hormone affects several parts of your body and bodily functions. Because of this, Graves’ disease/hyperthyroidism (excess thyroid hormone) can affect many parts of your body, including your: Heart. Skeletal muscle (the muscles that help you move). Eyes. Skin. Bones. Liver.

    Graves’ Disease: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

    my.clevelandclinic.org
    Why do some people develop autoimmune disorders like Graves' disease?
    Researchers aren’t sure why some people develop autoimmune disorders such as Graves’ disease. These disorders probably develop from a combination of genes and an outside trigger, such as a virus. With Graves’ disease, your immune system makes an antibody called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) that attaches to your thyroid cells.

    Graves’ Disease - NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and

    niddk.nih.gov
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  3. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/...

    Graves' disease - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

  4. Cleveland Clinic
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/di…

    Graves’ Disease: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms

    Jul 6, 2022 · Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your thyroid gland for unknown reasons. It’s the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, a condition in which your thyroid …

  5. Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graves'_disease

    Graves' disease - Wikipedia

  6. Yale Medicine
    https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions…

    Graves' Disease > Fact Sheets - Yale Medicine

    May 16, 2023 · Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that impacts the function of the thyroid gland, leading to excess hormone production that results in symptoms such as increased heart rate and metabolism, as well as other …

  7. American Thyroid Association
    https://www.thyroid.org/graves

    Graves’ Disease - American Thyroid Association

  8. nih.gov
    https://www.niddk.nih.gov/.../graves-dis…

    Graves’ Disease - NIDDK - National Institute of …

    Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. Thyroid hormones control the way your body uses energy, so they …

  9. Verywell Health
    https://www.verywellhealth.com/graves-…

    Graves' Disease: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications

    May 17, 2022 · 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 …

  10. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/...

    Graves' disease - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

  11. Ada
    https://ada.com/conditions/graves-disease

    Graves’ Disease: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment - Ada

  12. WebMD
    https://www.webmd.com/women/understanding-graves...

    Graves' Disease - What is Graves' Disease and What Causes It?

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