Grave's Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

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Also known as toxic diffuse goitre, Grave's disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. It causes the over production of thyroid hormones, making it the major cause of hyperthyroidism. Basically, the condition is developed as a result of an over-active thyroid gland that can have serious consequences, if left untreated ^[1] .

One of the most common autoimmune condition, Grave's disease is commonly found in women and before the age of 40. However, it has also been reported in men. The condition was initially named as 'exophthalmic goitre', but has been renamed after Sir Robert Graves, an Irish doctor who first described the condition in 1835 ^[2] .

Grave's disease can affect your overall well-being and is easy to treat. The primary approach towards the condition is treating the symptoms and controlling the over-production of thyroid hormones ^[3] .

Symptoms Of Grave's Disease

Some of the most common signs of the autoimmune condition are as follows ^[4] :

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Hand and finger tremors
• Heat sensitivity
• Change in menstrual cycles
• Increased sweating
• Sensitivity to heat
• Weight loss
• Enlargement of your thyroid gland (goitre)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Reduced libido
• High blood pressure
• Thick, red skin usually on the shins or tops of the feet (Graves' dermopathy)
• Frequent bowel movements
• Bulging eyes (Graves' ophthalmology)
• Fatigue
• Vision problems
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

Causes Of Grave's Disease

The condition is caused when the body's disease-fighting immune system malfunctions. Apart from this, the exact cause of Grave's condition is not known. When your body develops the condition, it is asserted that the body produces an antibody to one part of the cells in the thyroid gland, but the reason behind this is still not clearly understood to researchers and health practitioners ^[5] .

Some studies reveal that Grave's disease could be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. That is, a family history of the autoimmune disease increases your risk of developing the condition, although its inheritance pattern is unknown. The habit of smoking is also linked as a cause^[6] .

Risk Factors For Grave's Disease

Though studies point out that anyone can develop the condition, there are some factors that can increase the risk and they are as follows^[7] :

• Age
• Family history
• Gender
• Emotional or physical stress
• Other autoimmune disorders
• Pregnancy
• Smoking

Complications Of Grave's Disease

The autoimmune condition can impact your overall health. The major complications pertaining to Grave's disease are as follows ^[8] :

• Pregnancy issues such as miscarriage, pre-term birth, foetal thyroid dysfunction, poor foetal growth, maternal heart failure and preeclampsia.
• Thyroid storm (also known as accelerated hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxic crisis).
• Heart disorders.
• Brittle bones (osteoporosis).

Diagnosis Of Grave's Disease

The doctor will carry out a physical examination in which he/she will examine your eyes to check whether they're irritated or protruding. Your thyroid gland will also be examined, along with your pulse and blood pressure^[9] .

Apart from that, the doctor will run a blood test so as to determine your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone.

You may be given a small amount of radioactive iodine, which will be measured late with a specialized scanning camera which will help the doctor determine the rate at which your thyroid gland takes up iodine^[10] .

An ultrasound will be conducted which will help understand if the thyroid gland is enlarged. The imaging tests such as a CT scan or and MRI may also be carried out.

Treatment For Grave's Disease

The methods aim to manage the symptoms and inhibit the production of thyroid hormones, as well as to block the effect of the hormones on the body^[11] .

The treatments for Grave's disease are as follows:

• Radioactive iodine therapy
• Anti-thyroid medications
• Beta blockers
• Surgery

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.