Grave’s disease, named after Robert J. Graves in the 1830s, is an immune disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones. This overproduction is known as hyperthyroidism and there are a number of disorders and diseases that may result in hyperthyroidism, with Grave’s disease being the most common cause. According to Grazia Aleppo MD, FACE, FACP, who is an associate professor of Medicine at the Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, hyperthyroidism can be defined as a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive and makes excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland, which is located in the front of the neck, releases hormones that control one’s metabolism, breathing, body temperature, and other body functions.
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Symptoms of Graves' disease can occur slowly or very suddenly and are sometimes confused with other health problems. Some people with Graves' disease do not have any symptoms. Most people with Graves' disease have the following symptoms and signs: goiter (enlarged thyroid), trouble sleeping, irritability or nervousness, heat sensitivity, increased sweating, hand tremors, rapid heartbeat, thinning of skin or fine, brittle hair, frequent bowel movements, the loss of weight without intentions of doing so, fatigue or weakness in muscles, lighter and/or less menstrual cycles, and problems with being able to conceive. One of the major physical symptoms and signs of Grave’s disease is changes in the eyes. For some people with Graves' disease, the tissue behind the eyes becomes inflamed and swells, which causes bulging or discomfort in one or both eyes. It also can affect one’s vision. The eye symptoms can occur before, at the same time, or after other symptoms of Graves' disease begin. Eye swelling may also occur in those who have normal thyroid function. Doctors and researchers aren’t exactly sure why these eye problems occur but they make note that this symptom is more common in people who smoke because smoking makes eye symptoms worse. Fortunately, these eye problems often get better without treatment. Another physical symptom is reddening and thickening of the skin, often on the shins and tops of the …show more content…
It is recommended that if one have symptoms of Graves' disease, see your doctor so that he/she can perform an exam and order one or more tests. There a couple of test that doctors run on a patient in order to find out whether or not the patient has Graves' disease. The first test is a thyroid function test, in which a blood sample is sent to a lab to see if one’s body has the right amount of thyroid hormone (T4) and TSH. A high level of thyroid hormone in the blood plus a low level of TSH indicates overactive thyroid. Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) is another test in which it tells how much iodine the thyroid takes up. The thyroid uses iodine to make thyroid hormones and a high uptake suggests Graves' disease. This test can be helpful in ruling out other possible causes of overactive thyroid. Also sending a blood sample off to the lab to check for antibodies is a way to see if one has Grave’s disease. During pregnancy, Graves' disease can be hard to diagnose because of the similar symptoms, such as fatigue and heat
Symptoms of Graves' disease can occur slowly or very suddenly and are sometimes confused with other health problems. Some people with Graves' disease do not have any symptoms. Most people with Graves' disease have the following symptoms and signs: goiter (enlarged thyroid), trouble sleeping, irritability or nervousness, heat sensitivity, increased sweating, hand tremors, rapid heartbeat, thinning of skin or fine, brittle hair, frequent bowel movements, the loss of weight without intentions of doing so, fatigue or weakness in muscles, lighter and/or less menstrual cycles, and problems with being able to conceive. One of the major physical symptoms and signs of Grave’s disease is changes in the eyes. For some people with Graves' disease, the tissue behind the eyes becomes inflamed and swells, which causes bulging or discomfort in one or both eyes. It also can affect one’s vision. The eye symptoms can occur before, at the same time, or after other symptoms of Graves' disease begin. Eye swelling may also occur in those who have normal thyroid function. Doctors and researchers aren’t exactly sure why these eye problems occur but they make note that this symptom is more common in people who smoke because smoking makes eye symptoms worse. Fortunately, these eye problems often get better without treatment. Another physical symptom is reddening and thickening of the skin, often on the shins and tops of the …show more content…
It is recommended that if one have symptoms of Graves' disease, see your doctor so that he/she can perform an exam and order one or more tests. There a couple of test that doctors run on a patient in order to find out whether or not the patient has Graves' disease. The first test is a thyroid function test, in which a blood sample is sent to a lab to see if one’s body has the right amount of thyroid hormone (T4) and TSH. A high level of thyroid hormone in the blood plus a low level of TSH indicates overactive thyroid. Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) is another test in which it tells how much iodine the thyroid takes up. The thyroid uses iodine to make thyroid hormones and a high uptake suggests Graves' disease. This test can be helpful in ruling out other possible causes of overactive thyroid. Also sending a blood sample off to the lab to check for antibodies is a way to see if one has Grave’s disease. During pregnancy, Graves' disease can be hard to diagnose because of the similar symptoms, such as fatigue and heat