Joint Pain & Graves' Disease

Graves' disease occurs when the thyroid becomes overactive. Women are more prone to the disease and it usually strikes after the age of 20. Grave's disease is rarely life-threatening, but it can have a big impact on a person's life and appearance.

Causes

• The exact cause of Graves' disease is not known, but it is an autoimmune disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic. The immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland and causes it to produce too much thyroid hormone. Family history, a person's age and sex, stress, smoking, and pregnancy may be risk factors.

Symptoms

• Two noticeable symptoms of Graves' disease are an enlarged thyroid (goiter) and bulging eyes. Other symptoms include weight loss, brittle hair, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, heat sensitivity, anxiety, and joint pain.

Considerations

• Graves disease is a thyroid disorder which is known to cause myopathies, or diseases of the skeletal muscles, according to patient advocate Mary Shomon's Thyroid-Info website. White blood cells can attack muscle parts and blood vessels which eventually lead to joint pain and weakness.

Effects

• Graves' disease can cause a loss of muscle tone and strength, or muscle wasting. Fatigue, joint pain, and weakness can effect not just the limbs, but also the muscle in the throat causing hoarseness and difficulty with swallowing.

Identification

• People with Graves' disease may exhibit their joint pain in the inability to raise their arms over their head, fumbling with items held, and trouble using stairs.

Potential

• Graves' disease is treatable. Often the pain that accompanies Graves' disease is resolved or minimized with treatment.