| 1 |
SYMPTOMS |
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ADDITIONAL PATIENT RESOURCES
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| What
is Graves’ disease?
Graves’ disease is hyperthyroidism caused by a generalized
overactivity of the thyroid gland. The hyperthyroid symptoms of
Graves’ disease are the same as those caused by other types
of hyperthyroidism (see the Hyperthyroidism
brochure). Patients may have inflammation of the eyes, swelling
of the tissues around the eyes, bulging of the eyes, or double vision.
The severity of the eye problems is not related to the severity
of the hyperthyroidism. Problems with the eyes occur much more often
in people with Graves’ disease who smoke cigarettes. |
| 2 |
CAUSES |
| What
causes Graves’ disease?
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder. This means that
the patient’s own immune system produces antibodies that bind
to the surface of thyroid cells and then stimulate those cells to
overproduce thyroid hormones. |
| 3 |
DIAGNOSIS |
| How is the diagnosis
of Graves’ disease made?
A physical examination and laboratory tests that measure the amount
of thyroid hormone (thyroxine, or T4, and triiodothyronine, or T3)
and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood are necessary.
Your doctor may choose to obtain a picture of your thyroid (a thyroid
scan). |
| 4 |
TREATMENT |
| How
is Graves’ disease treated?
The treatment of hyperthyroidism may include antithyroid drugs (methimazole
[Tapazole®] or propylthiouracil [PTU]), radioiodine,
or surgery (see the Hyperthyroidism
brochure).
|
| Graves'
Disease FAQ for Saving and Printing (PDF
File, 48KB) |
|
© 2008 American Thyroid Association. All rights reserved.
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