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Who does Graves’ disease affect? -

Graves' disease affects more people assigned female at birth than people assigned male at birth.

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It can appear at different stages in life -

It typically occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 50. However, it can affect children and older adults.

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Some risk developing it more -

The risk of developing Graves' disease increases if you have a family history of thyroid disease. Smoking can also increase the risk of developing Graves' disease.

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Everything you need to know about Graves' disease -

You're also more likely to get Graves’ disease if you have another autoimmune disease, such as type 1 diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, or vitiligo.

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How common is Graves' disease? -

Even though Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, accounting for 60% to 80% of cases, it's a relatively rare condition. In fact, approximately 1.2% of people in the US have hyperthyroidism.

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How does Graves' disease affect the body? -

Graves' disease affects the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped organ at the base of the neck, just above the collarbone, which can affect many other parts of the body. For example, excess thyroid hormone can cause rapid heartbeat. 

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The development of symptoms -

The initial symptoms of Graves' disease are usually gradual, often taking several weeks or months to develop.

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Common symptoms -

Graves' disease causes hyperthyroidism, which speeds up certain body functions. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include weight loss, excessive sweating, feeling shaky, hair loss, menstrual changes, and insomnia. 

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Graves' eye disease -

Graves' disease can affect the eyes, and symptoms usually develop after six months. Common symptoms include swollen or retracted eyelids, light sensitivity, redness, bulging eyes, and blurred or double vision. 

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Possible skin condition -

In rare cases, Graves' disease can lead to Graves' dermopathy, which causes thick, flushed skin on the shins. It’s usually painless and mild, but it can be painful for some people.

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Causes are still unknown -

Researchers don't know what causes autoimmune diseases like Graves' disease.

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How it works -

Something triggers the immune system to overproduce an antibody called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI). TSI attaches to healthy thyroid cells, causing the thyroid to overproduce thyroid hormones.

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Possible causes -

The disease may stem from a combination of genes and external triggers, such as viral infections, stress, and pregnancy. 

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Diagnosis -

A doctor first assesses the symptoms and looks for signs of Graves' disease. They also check for thyroid issues in a person's family medical history and order one or more of the following tests. 

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A blood test -

A blood test will check your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and other thyroid hormones. With Graves' disease, your TSH levels are usually lower, and other hormones are elevated.

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Lab tests -

Lab tests will look for the antibodies that cause Graves' disease. If you don't have them, that's a sign that your hyperthyroidism is caused by something else.

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A radioactive iodine uptake test -

This test uses small doses of radioactive iodine to monitor how much of it is taken up into your thyroid from your bloodstream. The body normally uses iodine to make thyroid hormones. So, if it takes in a lot of the radioactive iodine, it's a sign that it's working harder than needed.

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A thyroid scan -

A thyroid scan sees where the radioactive iodine travels in your thyroid gland. If it goes all over your thyroid, that suggests you have Graves' disease.

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Treatment -

Although, Graves' disease is a lifelong chronic condition, treatments can keep your thyroid hormone levels in check. 

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Radioactive iodine therapy -

With this treatment, you take another form of radioactive iodine by mouth than what is used in the test to diagnose the disease. The iodine gets into the thyroid and the radiation kills some of the cells in your thyroid that are overproducing thyroid hormones.

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Anti-thyroid medications -

Anti-thyroid medications makes the thyroid produce less thyroid hormone. They aren’t permanent treatments but can be used for long periods.

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Beta-blockers -

Typically used to reduce blood pressure, beta-blockers can help to relieve some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, including shaking, rapid heartbeat, and anxiety.

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Surgery -

Surgery is a less common treatment for Graves' disease, but may be a good choice if you have a goiter, or are pregnant and can't take anti-thyroid medications. During surgery, some or all of your thyroid gland is removed.

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Graves' disease in pregnancy -

Graves' disease can make it harder to get pregnant because it changes the menstrual cycle. However, if you do get pregnant, your symptoms may get worse in the first three months and then improve later. 

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Possible treatments during pregnancy -

Your doctor may recommend anti-thyroid medicines during pregnancy rather than radioiodine therapy, which uses radiation that can affect the pregnancy and the unborn baby.

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Temporary remission -

Although there's no cure, some people may, with treatment, stop having the symptoms, meaning they're in remission. However, remission may only be temporary.

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Living with Graves' disease -

Grave's disease can be well-treated when you follow your treatment plan. See your doctor immediately if you start having new symptoms, or you become pregnant, as the treatment plan may need adjustment.  

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Dietary and lifestyle changes -

Speak with your doctor about dietary and lifestyle changes to manage your Graves' disease symptoms and reduce complications. 

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Careful with iodine -

The thyroid needs iodine to make thyroid hormones. However, with Graves' disease, you need to be aware of your iodine consumption from foods and supplements. Having too much iodine could make hyperthyroidism symptoms worse. 
Sources: (Medical News Today) (Mayo Clinic) (WebMD) (Cleveland Clinic) 

See also: Deadly diseases and infections with a 24-hour window

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