THE REASON I'M DOING THIS,IS BECAUSE EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT GRAVES DISEASE..ITS A KILLER..I KNOW BECAUSE I HAD IT,IN 1993 UNTIL 1996..I HAD TO GO AND STAY IN THE HOSPITAL ALOT,WHILE I WAS GOING THROUGH THIS..I FOUND INFORMATION ON IT THAT I WANTED TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE..IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE THAT HAS THESE SYMTOMS THEN PLEASE GET THEM TO THE DOCTOR,AS I SAID IF LEFT UNTREATED YOU WILL DIE,NO IFS ANDS BUTS ABOUT..AND ITS NOT NICE EITHER..IT AFFECTS ALL OF THE MAJOR ORGANS IN YOUR BODY..THE LAST TIME I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL WITH IT I WASN'T WANTING TO STAY,BECAUSE BY THAT TIME I DIDN'T CARE..I WAS TIRED OF NEVER HAVING ANY ENERGY TO PLAY WITH MY KIDS,OR ANYTHING ELSE..BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I LEFT THEN I WOULD NEVER COME BACK ALIVE BECAUSE MY HEART WOULD EXPLODE..MY HUSBAND WOULDN'T LET ME LEAVE,AS I SAID YOU JUST GET TO THE POINT YOU JUST DON'T CARE..THE WAY I FOUND OUT I HAD IT WAS I HAD LOST 60 POUNDS IN 2 MONTHS THE FIRST THING THAT I THOUGHT OF WAS MY GOD I HAVE CANCER..AND IT CAN TURN INTO CANCER..BUT I WENT TO THE DOCTOR FOR A SOAR THROAT..AND THATS WHEN WE FOUND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME..WE TRIED SERVERAL DIFFERENT MEDICINCES AND FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER THEY WOULDN'T WORK..SO MY HUSBAND AFTER THE LAST TIME I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TOOK ME TO HIS DOCTOR,BECAUSE I WAS HAVING TO GO TO A SPECIALIST WITH IT..SO WE WENT TO SEE HIS DOCTOR..THIS WAS IN THE LAST PART OF OCTOBER 1996..HE TOLD ME THAT I HAD TWO CHOICES,I EITHER TAKE RADIATION OR I DIE,BEFORE THE YEAR WAS UP..TO ME IT WAS STILL A BIG TOSS UP,BUT WHEN I WENT HOME AND SEEN MY BABIES AND VERNON,THEN THE IDEAL OF THEM HAVING TO BE WITHOUT ME..WELL AS YOU CAN SEE I TOOK THE RADIATION..AND HAVE NEVER FELT BETTER..SO PLEASE IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW HAS ANY OF THE SYPTOMS BELOW GET THEM TO THE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY..DON'T LET THEM WAIT..
Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder that involves overactivity of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
The thyroid gland is an important organ of the endocrine system. It is located in the front of the neck just below the voice box. This gland releases the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which control body metabolism. Control of metabolism is critical in controlling mood, weight, and mental and physical energy levels.
If the body makes too much thyroid hormone, the condition is called hyperthyroidism. (An underactive thyroid leads to hypothyroidism.)
Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. The production of thyroid hormone is increased, causing a wide range of symptoms from anxiety and restlessness to insomnia and weight loss. In addition, the eyeballs may begin to stick out (exophthalmos), causing eye irritation and tearing.
Graves disease is caused by an abnormal immune system response that attacks the thyroid gland, and causes too much production of thyroid hormones. Risk factors are being a woman over 20 years old, although the disorder may occur at any age and may affect men as well.
Symptoms Return to top
Protruding eyes (less common in children)
Weight loss
Increased appetite
Nervousness
Restlessness
Heat intolerance
Increased sweating
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Double vision
Eye irritation
Breast enlargement in men (possible)
Tremor
Frequent bowel movements
Menstrual irregularities in women
Goiter (possible)
Signs and tests Return to top
Physical examination shows an increased heart rate. Examination of the neck may show thyroid enlargement (goiter).
Serum TSH is decreased
Serum T3, free T4 are higher than normal
Radioactive iodine uptake is usually high
This disease may also alter the following test results:
TSI
Orbit CT scan or ultrasound
Treatment Return to top
The purpose of treatment is to control the overactivity of the thyroid gland. Beta-blockers such as propranolol are often used to treat symptoms of rapid heart rate, sweating, and anxiety until the hyperthyroidism is controlled. Hyperthyroidism is treated with antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine, or surgery.
Both radiation and surgery result in the need for lifelong use of replacement thyroid hormones, because these treatments destroy or remove the gland.
The eye problems related to Graves disease usually disappear when medications, radiation, or surgery solve the hyperthyroidism problem. Sometimes use of prednisone (a steroid medication, which suppresses the immune system) is required to reduce eye irritation and swelling.
Taping the eyes closed at night to prevent drying may sometimes be required. Sunglasses and eyedrops may lessen irritation of the eyes. Rarely, surgery may be needed to return the eyes to their normal position.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
For most people, Graves disease responds well to treatment. However, thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine will sometimes cause hypothyroidism, which can lead to weight gain, depression, and mental and physical sluggishness. Antithyroid medications can also have serious side effects.
Complications Return to top
Eye problems associated with the disease (called Graves ophthalmopathy or exophthalmos)
heart complications including rapid heart rate, congestive heart failure (especially in the elderly) and atrial fibrillation
Thyroid crisis (thyrotoxic storm), a severe worsening of the symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland
Increased risk for osteoporosis
Inadequate levels of thyroid hormone medications following surgery or radiation, leading to fatigue, elevated cholesterol levels, mild weight gain, depression, and mental and physical sluggishness
Complications related to surgery, including:
Visible scarring of the neck
Hoarseness due to damage of the nerve leading to the voice box
Low calcium levels due to damage to the parathyroid glands
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms suggestive of Graves disease. Also call if eye problems or general symptoms get worse (or do not improve) with treatment.
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms of hyperthyroidism are associated with a rapid, irregular heart beat, fever, or a decrease in consciousness
