7 Grave's Disease Facts You Must Know About

Grave's disease is an autoimmune disease. With Grave's disease, the immune system creates antibodies that stimulate the thyroid gland. This causes the gland to enlarge and produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. In this article, we will share with you some information about Grave's disease that can, hopefully, get you back on track to better overall health.

First, you will learn what to look for when it comes to Grave's disease and thyroid eye disease. Next, you will learn about chemical therapy done with iodine and the surgical option for Grave's disease. Then, we will cover the causes of Grave's disease and treating ophthalmopathy, and we will wrap up with early diagnosis and treatment. Once you have finished reading, you will have the information you need to take control of Grave's disease and start enjoying better health.

1What To Look For

For the majority of patients, Grave's disease escalates and causes havoc in many areas of their lives. It can occur at any age; however, it is most common in women in their twenties or thirties. It is estimated that around five to ten times more women are diagnosed than men. Patients with Grave's disease may have some of the following symptoms: anxiety and irritability, unexplained weight loss, muscle weakness, slight hand tremors, rapid and irregular heartbeat, goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), excessive sweating, and changes in a woman's menstrual cycle.

Breast enlargement in men is also common. Another symptom is the appearance of reddish, thickened skin on the feet and lower legs. This skin condition is a rare occurrence, usually painless, and not considered serious.

2Thyroid Eye Disease

Grave's disease can also result in ophthalmopathy or thyroid eye disease. It is believed that the thyroid gland and the eye's muscles may share a common antigen that is recognized by the antibodies attacking the thyroid. Grave's ophthalmopathy can occur before or at the same time as other symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Twenty-five percent of Grave's disease patients have symptoms of this eye disease. The symptoms of Grave's ophthalmopathy include pressure or pain in the eyes, inflammation of the tissues and muscles around the eyes, retracted eyelids, double vision, gritty sensation in the eyes, and light sensitivity.

The goal in the treatment of Grave's disease is to control the excessive activity of the thyroid gland. Treatment options include antithyroid medication to inhibit the production of hormones by the thyroid gland. Medication to keep the thyroid gland from making too much hormone is generally used for one or two years. For some people, thyroid function returns to normal when these drugs are discontinued. However, for most, the overactive thyroid returns.

3Chemical Therapy And Medication

The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce thyroid hormones. Radioiodine therapy is a treatment where oral medication that contains radioactive iodine is taken to destroy the thyroid cells. With this treatment, the thyroid gland shrinks. It also produces fewer hormones, and the symptoms gradually reduce over time.

This is a successful treatment that does not harm other parts of the body or cause congenital disabilities. Radioiodine therapy treatment is not used for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Some people who are allergic to antithyroid medication and a small percentage of patients resistant to radioiodine treatment may require an operation.

4Surgical Option For Grave's Disease

When appropriate, a total thyroidectomy is the only option that gives an immediate cure to hyperthyroidism. But it is not the most common option. The removal of the thyroid gland takes several hours under general anesthetic.

The patients experience a little discomfort, and the recovery is swift. They can function normally, including eating and talking, almost straight away. After surgery, lifetime medication will be needed to provide normal amounts of thyroid hormones to the body.