Graves' Disease: Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment

What is Graves’ Disease?

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. Thyroid hormones control key functions like body temperature, heart rate, and metabolism. When the thyroid becomes overactive, it can impact organs such as the heart, as well as bones and muscles. While Graves’ disease is most commonly seen in women over the age of 20, it can affect people of any age, including men.
 

What Causes Graves’ Disease?

The exact cause of Graves’ disease remains unclear, but it primarily affects young to middle-aged women and often runs in families, suggesting a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Having another autoimmune disorder may also raise the risk of developing Graves’ disease. Graves disease causes linked to an increased risk include:

• Vitiligo

• Pernicious anaemia

• Celiac disease

• Type 1 diabetes

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Lupus

• Addison’s disease

Graves’ Disease Symptoms

Here are the graves disease symptoms are mentioned below - 

• Unexplained weight loss despite increased appetite

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

• Nervousness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and fatigue

• Shaky hands and muscle weakness

• Excessive sweating or heat intolerance

• Frequent bowel movements

• Enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)

Consult our diabetologist in Delhi if you are experiencing graves disease symptoms and need treatment.

How is Graves’ Disease Diagnosed?

Following are the common diagnostic tests for Graves’ disease:

• Thyroid blood tests: These tests measure thyroid hormone and TSH levels; a low TSH often indicates an overproduction of thyroid hormones, suggesting hyperthyroidism.

• Thyroid antibody tests: They detect autoimmune conditions like Graves’ disease by identifying TSI and TBII antibodies.

• Thyroid Uptake and Scan: A thyroid uptake and scan involves taking radioactive iodine to measure how much the thyroid absorbs—high absorption indicates Graves’ disease.

• Doppler Ultrasound: It uses sound waves to check for increased blood flow in the thyroid and may be used if radioactive iodine testing is unsuitable, such as during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Graves’ Disease Treatment

Graves’ disease treatment focuses on reducing thyroid hormone production and minimising its effects on the body.

• Beta-blockers: These medications help control your heart rate and protect your heart while other treatments for hyperthyroidism take effect, but they do not reduce thyroid hormone production.

• Radioactive Iodine Therapy: This therapy involves taking a capsule or liquid that targets and destroys thyroid cells responsible for hormone production. Most people who undergo this treatment develop hypothyroidism, which is easier to manage and poses fewer long-term health risks than hyperthyroidism.

• Antithyroid Medications: These medications inhibit the production of thyroid hormones. In a small number of cases, these drugs can cause side effects such as skin rashes and a low white blood cell count, increasing the risk of infection.

• Surgery: Thyroidectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the thyroid, is a treatment option for Graves’ disease. After the surgery, lifelong thyroid medication is required to replace the hormones your thyroid would normally produce.

Consult our diabetes and endocrinology hospital in Delhi if you need graves disease treatment.

Complications of Graves’ Disease

If Graves’ disease is left untreated or poorly managed, it can raise the risk of the following complications:

• Heart Problems: Graves’ disease that is untreated or inadequately managed can lead to arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), which in turn raises the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related conditions.

• Graves’ Ophthalmopathy: This eye complication may lead to symptoms such as double vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain, and, in rare cases, vision loss.

• Osteoporosis: If Graves’ disease is left untreated or inadequately managed, it can result in osteoporosis (a condition where bones become abnormally thin and weak), increasing the risk of frequent bone fractures.

• Pregnancy Complications: Graves’ disease complications during pregnancy include premature birth, low birth weight, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of miscarriage.

• Thyroid Storm: This complication occurs when the thyroid gland releases a large amount of thyroid hormone rapidly. This rare but life-threatening complication of hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease can result from abruptly stopping antithyroid medication or due to trauma or infection.

Who Does Graves’ Disease Affect?

Graves’ disease can affect anyone, but it is most commonly seen in women over the age of 20. It is also more prevalent in individuals with a family history of thyroid disorders or other autoimmune diseases. While it can occur at any age, young to middle-aged adults are more frequently diagnosed. Men can also develop Graves’ disease, though it is less common.
 

How Common is Graves’ Disease?

Graves’ disease is a relatively common autoimmune disorder. Studies indicate that approximately 16.7% of adults in India are affected by this condition. Globally, it is estimated that Graves’ disease affects about 1 in 200 people. The prevalence is higher in women than in men, and it often runs in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition.
 

How Does Graves’ Disease Affect My Body?

Graves’ disease primarily affects the thyroid gland, leading to an overproduction of thyroid hormones. This can cause a range of symptoms and complications, including:

• Metabolism: Increased metabolism can lead to weight loss, despite an increased appetite.

• Heart: Rapid or irregular heartbeat, which can increase the risk of heart-related conditions.

• Nervous System: Nervousness, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.

• Muscles: Muscle weakness and tremors.

• Skin: Excessive sweating and heat intolerance.

• Digestive System: Frequent bowel movements.

• Eyes: Graves’ ophthalmopathy, which can cause eye pain, double vision, and in severe cases, vision loss.

Graves’ Disease and Pregnancy

Graves’ disease can complicate pregnancy, but with careful management, many women with the condition can have healthy pregnancies. It is important to work closely with your healthcare provider to monitor thyroid hormone levels and adjust treatment as needed. Untreated or poorly managed Graves’ disease during pregnancy can lead to complications such as premature birth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, and an increased risk of miscarriage.
 

When Should I See My Healthcare Provider About Graves’ Disease?

You should see your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, nervousness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, shaky hands, muscle weakness, excessive sweating, or heat intolerance. Early Graves disease diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing Graves’ disease and preventing complications.
 

Is Graves’ Disease Hereditary?

Graves’ disease tends to run in families, indicating a genetic component. If you have a family history of thyroid disorders or other autoimmune diseases, you may be at a higher risk of developing Graves’ disease. Genetic testing and counselling can help assess your risk and guide preventive measures.
 

Graves’ Disease Risk Factors

Several factors can increase the risk of developing Graves’ disease, including:

• Family History: A family history of thyroid disorders or autoimmune diseases.

• Gender: Women are more likely to develop Graves’ disease than men.

• Age: Most commonly diagnosed in young to middle-aged adults.

• Other Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

• Smoking: Increases the risk of Graves’ ophthalmopathy.

• Stress: Severe emotional or physical stress may trigger the onset of Graves’ disease.

Graves’ Disease Diet

While there is no specific diet to cure Graves’ disease, certain dietary choices can help manage symptoms and support overall health:

• Balanced Diet: Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

• Avoid Iodine-Rich Foods: Excess iodine can exacerbate hyperthyroidism symptoms. Limit foods like seaweed, iodized salt, and certain seafood.

• Calcium and Vitamin D: Ensure adequate intake to support bone health, as hyperthyroidism can lead to bone loss.

• Hydration: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially if you experience excessive sweating.

Graves’ Eye Disease

Graves’ ophthalmopathy (Graves disease eyes), also known as thyroid eye disease, is a condition where the immune system attacks the muscles and tissues around the eyes. Symptoms can include:

• Eye Pain: Discomfort or pain in the eyes.

• Double Vision: Seeing two images of a single object.

• Light Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to light.

• Swelling: Swelling and redness around the eyes.

• Vision Loss: In severe cases, it can lead to vision loss.

Treatment for Graves’ eye disease may include medications to reduce inflammation and lubricating eye drops, and in some cases, Graves disease surgery is needed to relieve pressure on the optic nerve.

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, leading to an overactive thyroid. This condition can significantly impact various organs, including the heart, bones, muscles, and eyes. Recognizing the symptoms early, such as unexplained weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, nervousness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, shaky hands, muscle weakness, excessive sweating, and heat intolerance, is crucial for effective management.

Early diagnosis through thyroid blood tests, antibody tests, thyroid uptake and scan, and Doppler ultrasound can help in identifying Graves’ disease. Treatment options, including beta-blockers, radioactive iodine therapy, antithyroid medications, and Graves’ disease surgery, aim to reduce thyroid hormone production and manage symptoms. Proper management can prevent complications such as heart problems, Graves’ ophthalmopathy, osteoporosis, pregnancy complications, and thyroid storm.

If you experience any symptoms or have a family history of thyroid disorders, it is essential to seek medical advice promptly. At Manipal Hospitals Dwarka, our skilled endocrinologists specialize in diagnosing and managing Graves’ disease complications, providing comprehensive care to improve your quality of life.