The immune system illness Graves disease causes hyperthyroidism, or the overproduction of thyroid hormones. Although various infections may induce hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is a typical culprit.
The signs and symptoms of Graves’ illness may vary widely since thyroid hormones impact many different bodily systems. Although Graves’ disease may affect anybody, it strikes women and those under 40 more often.
The main objectives of therapy are to diminish the intensity of symptoms and decrease the quantity of thyroid hormones produced by the body.
Symptoms
The following are typical Graves’ disease indicators and symptoms:
- Nervousness and irritation
- A slight trembling in the hands or fingers
- Increasing sweat, heat sensitivity, and warm, wet skin
- Loss of weight while following a typical diet
- Goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland
- Alterations to menstrual cycles
- A decrease in libido or erectile dysfunction
- Often passing the poop
- Graves ophthalmopathy
- Fatigue
- Thick, red skin that usually affects the shins or tops of the foot
- Heart palpitations, a rapid or irregular pulse
- Sleep disruption
Graves’ Disease Of The Eyes
About 30% of Graves disease sufferers exhibit some Graves ophthalmopathy symptoms. Muscles and other tissues surrounding your eyes are impacted by inflammation and other immune system activities in Graves’ ophthalmopathy. Some warning signs and symptoms include:
- Enlarged eyes
- A scratchy feeling in the eyes
- Discomfort or pressure in the eyes
- Eyelids that are saggy or retracted
- Watches that are irritated or red
- Sensitivity to light
- Dual perception
- Loss of vision
Graves Dermopathy
The reddening and thickening of the skin, known as Graves’ dermopathy, is an unusual Graves’ disease symptom that most often affects the tops of your feet or shins.
When to See a Doctor
Various medical problems might bring on Graves disease-associated signs and symptoms. See your doctor as soon as possible to get a timely and precise diagnosis for any probable Graves disease-related issues.
If you get heart-related symptoms, such as a fast or irregular heartbeat, or if you experience vision loss, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Causes
A breakdown in the immune system, which the body uses to combat illness, is the root cause of Graves’ disease. We are still determining why this occurs.
Usually, the immune system makes antibodies that are intended to attack a particular virus, bacteria, or other foreign item. For unknown reasons, the immune system creates an antibody against a portion of the cells of the thyroid gland, a gland in the neck that produces hormones, in Graves’ illness.
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland, a small organ near the brain’s base, typically controls thyroid function. Thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb), an antibody linked to Graves’ disease, functions similarly to the regulating pituitary hormone. This indicates that TRAb interferes with the thyroid’s natural control, leading to an excessive synthesis of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism).
Graves Ophthalmopathy’s Root Cause
The etiology of Graves’ ophthalmopathy, which develops from an accumulation of certain carbohydrates in the muscles and tissues behind the eyes, is unknown. It is possible that the same antibody that may lead to thyroid dysfunction also has an “attraction” to tissues around the eyes.
Frequently, Graves’ ophthalmopathy develops concurrently with hyperthyroidism or many months later. Ophthalmopathy, however, might show signs and symptoms years before or after the development of hyperthyroidism. Even in the absence of hyperthyroidism, Graves’ ophthalmopathy might still develop.
Risk Factors
Even though Graves’ illness may affect anybody, several things might raise your risk, such as:
- Family background. A gene or set of genes may increase a person’s chance of developing Graves’ disease since it is a recognized risk factor.
- Sex. Women have a substantially higher risk of developing Graves’ illness than males.
- Age. People under the age of 40 often get Graves’ illness.
- Other autoimmune diseases. There is a higher risk for those with other immune system diseases, including type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Physical or emotional strain. People with genes that elevate their chance of developing Graves’ disease may experience the disease’s start due to stressful life events or sickness.
- Pregnancy. In particular, among women with genes that raise their risk, pregnancy or recent delivery may increase the chance of the condition.
- Smoking. Smoking raises the risk of Graves’ disease because it might impair immunity. Graves’ ophthalmopathy is more likely to occur in smokers with Graves’ illness.
Complications
Graves’ disease complications may include:
- Maternity problems. Miscarriage, premature delivery, fetal thyroid malfunction, poor fetal development, maternal heart failure, and preeclampsia are among potential side effects of Graves’ illness during pregnancy. A maternal disorder called preeclampsia causes high blood pressure and other dangerous symptoms.
- Heart problems. Graves’ disease may cause abnormal cardiac rhythms, alterations in the structure and performance of the heart muscles, and heart failure, which is when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body.
- Thyroid storming. Thyrotoxic crisis, also known as thyroid storm or rapid hyperthyroidism, is an uncommon but serious side effect of Graves’ illness. It is more likely to occur when severe hyperthyroidism is neglected or improperly managed.
- Numerous symptoms, such as fever, sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, delirium, extreme weakness, seizures, irregular heartbeat, yellow skin and eyes (jaundice), shallow blood pressure, and coma, may result from the abrupt and dramatic surge in thyroid hormones. Thyroid storms need urgent medical attention.
- Broken bones. Osteoporosis resulting from untreated hyperthyroidism may cause brittle, fragile bones. Your bones’ mineral makeup, particularly their calcium and other mineral content, affects their strength. Excess thyroid hormone hampers your body’s capacity to integrate calcium into your bones.