Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease causing hyperthyroidism, more common in middle-aged women. Symptoms include bulging eyes, goiter, and weight loss. Treatment includes medication and surgery, and eye care is important due to the risk of double vision. A thyroid storm is a serious complication. Research is ongoing.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that is more common in middle-aged women than in any other group of people. The symptoms of this condition are caused by hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland, which produces more thyroid hormones than the body can handle. However, it is not known how the thyroid gland becomes overactive. So the exact cause of Graves’ disease cannot be pinpointed.
When hyperthyroidism is present, as in Graves’ disease, several symptoms occur. This condition is usually diagnosed by having your blood tested for thyroid hormone levels, but it is also diagnosed by the appearance of one of three symptoms: bulging eyes, goiter, which results in significant swelling in the neck or swelling above the shins. Those with Graves’ disease will have at least one of these symptoms and may have several.
Other symptoms may also be present. The heart rate may be fast or those affected may experience palpitations. People may feel exceptionally jittery or shaky and may have an increased appetite. Weight loss and sleep difficulties are both common as the metabolism speeds up in response to the extra amounts of thyroid hormones.
Frequent use of thyroid hormone-lowering medications can control Graves’ disease. When medications alone fail, doctors consider thyroid removal. This may involve initial surgery, called a thyroidectomy, and then radiation to kill any remaining thyroid cells. Radiation is usually avoided in women of childbearing potential who wish to have more children, as this could have a negative effect on fertility.
Treatment, however, is unavoidable even if women are of childbearing age, as the condition can be passed on from pregnant women to their unborn children. Reducing the production of the thyroid gland is essential to eliminate the complications of the disease. Pregnant women usually take drugs to reduce the number of thyroid hormones.
When Graves’ disease has caused bulging eyes, this condition can be treated cosmetically by opening the sinuses to allow the eyes to return to their natural position. Even after excess thyroid hormones are eliminated, bulging eyes may still be present. Eye care is especially important for those with this condition, as pressure on the eyes can cause double vision. Additionally, those with Graves’ disease may experience extreme dry eyes and are more prone to eye injury from dust.
Graves’ disease has an extremely serious complication that all concerned should be warned about. On some occasions, thyroid levels become so high that they cause what is called a thyroid storm. A thyroid storm is characterized by sudden and total confusion, a high fever, and can lead to a coma without treatment. If a person feels that their symptoms are getting worse rapidly, it is a medical emergency and the affected person should call 911 right away.
In many cases this condition can be well controlled by surgery, medication, or both. Research to further understand the cause may help improve treatment in the future.
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