Graves Disease

Taylor Dobbs

Graves Disease

The most common form of hyperthyroidism When the immune system mistakenly attacks your

thyroid gland and causes it to overproduce thyroxine Usually develops in women after the age of 20

Causes

Autoimmune disorder There is no way to stop your immune system from

attacking your thyroid

Signs and Symptoms Anxiety

Mood swings

Difficulty concentrating

Occasional mental impairment

Double vision

Expothalmos (eyes)

Eye irritations/watering/sensitivity to light

Fatigue

Frequent bowel movements

Groiter

Heat intolerance/frequent sweating

Increased appetite

Insomnia

Tiredness

Irregular menstral cycle

Muscle weakness

Muscle cramps

Nervousness

rapid/irregular heart rate (palpitations)

Shortness of breath

Tremors

Weight loss/or gain

Hair loss

Chronic sinus infections

Brittle nails

Oily skin

Upset stomach due to increased calcium levels

Groiter

When the thyroid gland appears to be large, and a visibly swollen or large neck is seen.

Expothalmos

When eyes appear to be bulging or “buggy”

-In some cases this is severe

Diagnosis

Examination of neck for groiter Blood tests

TSH, T3, free T4 Ultrasound Radioactive iodine uptake

TSH, T3, and free T4

TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (thyrotropin); regulates the function of the Thyroid Gland

– 0.3-3.0

T3: Triiodothyronine; affects almost every physiological proccess in the body. Ie: growth and development, metabolism, temperature, heart rate

– 70-180

Free T4: determines how the thyroid is functioning

– .8-1.5

Treatment

Anithyroid medications Methimazole, propylthiouracil

Radioactive treatments Surgery Heart medication

atenonol

Prognosis

-Patients with Graves Diseases can usually go into remission with the proper dosages and blood work done frequently.

-Surgery for the removal of the thyroid gland is an option.

-If left untreated, Graves Disease can be fatal.

Prevention

-No way to prevent Graves

-Some symptoms may be prevented with proper diet, exercise, and health care