| Abstract: |
This fact sheet, from the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service (NEMDIS), describes Graves’ disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States. Hyperthyroidism is a disorder that occurs when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormone than the body needs. In Graves’ disease, the immune system makes antibodies called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) that attach to thyroid cells. TSI mimics the action of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and stimulates the thyroid to make too much thyroid hormone. The diagnosis and treatment of Graves’ disease is often performed by an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in the body’s hormone-secreting glands. The fact sheet reviews the symptoms of Graves’ disease, the condition called Graves’ ophthalmopathy, who is likely to develop Graves’ disease, diagnostic approaches to Graves’ disease, and treatment options, including radioiodine therapy, medications, surgery, and eye care. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include nervousness or irritability, heat intolerance, rapid and irregular heartbeat, frequent bowel movements or diarrhea, weight loss, and goiter. Graves’ ophthalmopathy is characterized by inflammation and a buildup in tissue and fat behind the eye socket, causing the eyeballs to bulge. Graves’ disease is most often treated with radioiodine therapy, which gradually destroys the cells of the thyroid gland. The fact sheet concludes with a list of six resource organizations through which readers can get more information and a brief description of the activities of the NEMDIS. 1 figure. |