What is Graves’ disease?
Graves’ disease is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). Although a number of disorders may result in hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is a common cause.it affects 3 percent of people in the US. Your thyroid gland makes hormones that help your body regulate a wide range of vital functions, including:
- Growth and development
- Body temperature
- Heart rate
- Weight
- Fertility
- Mental health
- Sleep
Graves’ disease and its relationship with hyperthyroidism
If you’re diagnosed with Graves’ disease, it means that your thyroid is making more thyroid hormone than your body needs, and it most often leads to a condition called hyperthyroidism, which causes your metabolism to speed up. It usually arises in mid-adulthood, but it can occur at any age. it’s more common among women and in people younger than age 40.A lot of people get scared when they first hear the name. But don’t worry, it’s not referring to six feet under. It’s actually Graves’, not grave, after the last name of the doctor who discovered it.
What are the early signs and symptoms of Graves’ disease?
Early signs of Graves’ disease vary from person to person and they are often confused with other conditions, which can delay diagnosis. “Before diagnosis, patients often notice that they can’t tolerate heat, are unintentionally losing weight, and are having heart palpitations,” says Trevor Angell MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Associate Director of the Thyroid Center at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Common early symptoms include:
- Weight loss despite increased appetite. (Unfortunately, some doctors may erroneously suspect an eating disorder, even if you tell them that the weight loss is unintentional.)
- Anxiety, irritability, and mood swings
- Restlessness
- Tremors (involuntary, quick movements, such as twitching)
- Difficulty sleeping and disturbed sleep (insomnia)
- Heat intolerance and sweating
- Chest pain, palpitations, and rapid or irregular heartbeats
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
- Increased stool frequency (with or without diarrhea)
- Irregular or stopped periods
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty controlling diabetes
- Fatigue
- Reduced libido or erectile dysfunction
- Vitamin b12 deficiency
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter)
- Bulging eyes (Graves’ ophthalmopathy)
- Thick, red skin usually on the shins or tops of the feet (Graves’ dermopathy)
Causes
Graves’ disease is caused by a malfunction in the body’s disease-fighting immune system. It’s unknown why this happens.
The immune system normally produces antibodies designed to target a specific virus, bacterium or other foreign substance. In Graves’ disease — for reasons that aren’t well understood — the immune system produces an antibody to one part of the cells in the hormone-producing gland in the neck (thyroid gland). These antibodies are called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSIs). The TSIs bind to your thyroid cell receptors, which are typically “docking stations” for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Invading TSIs then trick your thyroid into growing and releasing too much thyroid hormone, leading to hyperthyroidism. Grave’s disease is an autoimmune issue, as it involves your immune system attacking healthy tissue. Like many autoimmune conditions, Graves’ is also 7-8 times more likely to occur in women than men, for reasons that are still unknown.
Thyroid eye disease (TED)
Eye issues related to Graves’ disease are called Graves’ ophthalmopathy or Thyroid eye disease (TED). This group of symptoms occurs in 30 percent of people with Graves’s disease and can run the gamut from mild to very serious. Less severe—but still bothersome—manifestations of TED include red eyes, tearing, a feeling of sand or dust in your eyes, and sensitivity to light. In more advanced cases of TED, one or both of your eyes may bulge or protrude from your eye sockets (also called orbits). Graves’ disease causes an inflammatory response in your eye muscles
Cause of Graves’ ophthalmopathy
Graves’ ophthalmopathy results from a buildup of certain carbohydrates in the muscles and tissues behind the eyes — the cause of which also isn’t known. It appears that the same antibody that can cause thyroid dysfunction may also have an “attraction” to tissues surrounding the eyes.Graves’ ophthalmopathy often appears at the same time as hyperthyroidism or several months later.
Risk factors
Although anyone can develop Graves’ disease, many factors can increase the risk of disease, including:
- Family history
- Sex (More in women than men)
- Age (Before age 40)
- Other autoimmune disorders
- Emotional or physical stress
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
Reference
https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/graves-disease/graves-disease-overview
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/graves-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20356240
https://www.montefiore.org/hyperthyroidism-and-graves-disease
