Info on Graves' Disease

Graves' disease is an immune system problem which results in a hyperactive thyroid. The thyroid gland has the job of producing different hormones which help to regulate many body functions, but in a person with Graves' disease, the thyroid produces too much of these hormones, causing a number of different symptoms. Named after Dr. Robert Graves, a physician that described the condition for the first time in 1835, Graves' disease cannot be cured but the symptoms brought about by the hyperthyroidism it causes can be controlled.

Possible Cause

• Categorized as an autoimmune disorder, Graves' disease normally occurs in people when they are between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. It is much more frequently seen in women than in men. Graves' disease has a habit of running in families, making researchers think that there must be some sort of genetic link to the ailment. Graves' disease causes the person's own immune system to manufacture chemicals that in turn will signal the thyroid to keep producing hormones. What precipitates this to happen is not known but a defect in the person's immune system is likely to blame.

Symptoms

• There are many different symptoms that are brought about by Graves' disease and a patient with this illness may experience many of them or just a few; this varies from person to person. Nervousness and anxiety are signs of Graves' and trouble sleeping is another. There can be drastic roller-coaster-like mood swings and physical symptoms such as excessive sweating and tremors of the hands are common. The heart rate of someone dealing with Graves' disease can become elevated and heart palpitations are possible. Having to go to the bathroom constantly, weight loss despite a heightened appetite, and a noticeable sensitivity to heat are all Graves' disease symptoms.

Graves' Disease Complications

• There are complications that can arise in a patient with Graves' disease. One is called goiter, which is a condition in which a person's lower portion of the neck in front becomes abnormally swollen as the thyroid gland winds up being enlarged. The eyes of an individual with Graves' can bulge outward, with the person looking as if he is scared. Double vision and itchy eyes that are dry can result along with other vision troubles. This is known by the term "Graves' ophthalmopathy." In extreme cases a skin rash can break out on the feet and the legs, which become swollen.

Diagnosing Graves' Disease

• A physician will examine a patient looking for signs of Graves' such as goiter or any problems involving the eyes. Recent medical history will be explored to determine if any of the other symptoms of the condition that may not be so apparent are present like anxiety, sweating and a change in bowel habits. The thyroid will be felt to find any lumps that may be present. A rapid heart rate can be evidence that Graves' is at work and blood tests can show if hormone levels are higher than they should be. A test called a radioactive iodine uptake may be performed. Since the thyroid requires iodine to manufacture hormones, it can be determined by giving a person a small bit of radioactive iodine and then checking later to see how much of it has gone to the thyroid if too much hormone is being produced.

Treatments

• Treatment for Graves' disease has two purposes. One is to improve the symptoms associated with the malady and the other is to slow down the thyroid's rate of making hormones. Virtually everyone with Graves' disease should have some sort of treatment. Beta-blockers can help with slowing down a rapid heart rate, tremors and anxiousness caused by the disease. Anti-thyroid drugs such as Tapazole and Thiamazole are effective in bringing hormone levels to a more normal level. This works in most cases but sometimes radioactive iodine treatment is necessary. Given orally, the iodine basically short-circuits the thyroid and keeps it from making hormones permanently, meaning the patient will need medication from then on for their thyroid. Surgery is an option when goiter is present and very large, as people with this problem often do not respond to other treatments. Removing the thyroid altogether solves the problem, but the person will be on special medication for the rest of their lives to replace the hormones the thyroid can no longer make. Eye conditions brought on by Graves' will need eye drops and protective eyewear to keep the eyes dry and safe from dust and wind.