What is Graves’ disease?
An autoimmune condition called Graves’ disease makes the thyroid gland overactive. In the UK, 2% of women and 0.2% of men suffer from Graves’ disease, the primary cause of an overactive thyroid.
What are the symptoms of Graves’ disease?
The following are the most typical signs of Graves’ disease:
- Shaky hands
- Fast heartbeat
- Heat sensitivity
- Goitre – a visibly enlarged thyroid
- Unexplained loss in weight
- Increased appetite
- Changes in menstrual cycles
- Erectile dysfunction and loss of libido
Graves’ disease can also affect your mood in a number of ways, including:
- Increased feelings of anxiety
- Feeling jittery and nervous
- Irritability
What effects might Graves’ disease have on the body?
In addition to the usual symptoms, some Graves’ disease patients may experience the following related conditions:
Thirty percent of patients with Graves’ disease have thyroid eye disease, which can cause double vision, bulging eyes, pain or pressure in the area of the eyes, and light sensitivity.
- Graves’ dermopathy, also known as pretibial myxedema, is characterized by thickening or reddening of the skin on your feet or shins.
Is Graves’ disease serious?
Graves’ disease rarely poses a threat to life, but if untreated, it can occasionally lead to complications. If Graves’ disease is left untreated, it can result in:
- Pregnancy issues like miscarriage, preeclampsia, or premature birth
- Heart issues, including heart failure or irregular heartbeats
What causes Graves’ disease?
When your body attacks healthy cells because it believes they are dangerous, it is known as an autoimmune disorder. The immune system of the body creates antibodies in Graves’ disease, which leads to the growth and hyperactivity of the thyroid gland.
The causes of autoimmune disorders are poorly understood. Given that Graves’ disease tends to run in families, there seems to be a genetic component to the condition.
What can trigger the onset of Graves’ disease?
Stressful situations or illness can cause Graves’ disease or other autoimmune conditions to develop in people who are genetically predisposed to them. The onset of Graves’ disease symptoms may also be linked to pregnancy and recent childbirth.
How is Graves’ disease diagnosed?
The doctor will first inquire about your medical history and symptoms. They might perform a physical examination to look for any indications of a tremor, an enlarged thyroid gland, or Graves’ eye disease.
After that, a blood sample will be drawn to check for any rise in the thyroid gland’s hormone T4. The hormone TSH is suppressed, and this is transformed into T3 in the peripheries.
This is typically sufficient to diagnose Graves’ disease, but in certain situations, imaging tests like a neck CT scan or MRI may be required.
How is Graves’ disease treated?
Medication is the primary treatment for Graves’ disease.
Beta blockers may be prescribed to you in the short term to counteract the effects of an overactive thyroid gland if you are diagnosed with Graves’ disease and exhibit severe symptoms.
Over time, your doctor will recommend medication that prevents the thyroid gland from producing hormones. You will initially be prescribed a high dosage of medication, which will be lowered on occasion if your symptoms have been managed. The goal is to gradually restore normal thyroid function and eventually wean yourself off of medication.
To combat the thyroid gland, several medications are available. It’s crucial to talk to your doctor about the various risks and side effects associated with each.
Your doctor may suggest more invasive procedures to shrink the thyroid gland if medication is unable to return it to normal. One such procedure is radioactive iodine therapy, which entails taking iodine orally. Some of the thyroid cells are destroyed by the iodine’s radioactivity. Some Graves’ disease symptoms may initially worsen as a result of radioactive iodine therapy, but these are usually transient. If you are nursing a baby or may be pregnant, it is not advised.
- Surgery: During surgery, your thyroid gland may be removed entirely or in part. To restore normal thyroid hormone levels following surgery, you might require hormone replacement therapy. Thyroid surgery is only advised after other treatment options have failed due to the numerous potential complications.
What type of doctor treats Graves’ disease?
Specialist endocrinologists treat Graves’ disease as the condition is linked to hormone function. Patients who go on to develop complications related to the eye, such as thyroid eye disease, may also be referred to an ophthalmologist.