Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Endocrine Disorders > Thyroid > Hyperthyroid > Graves' Disease
Graves-Basedow disease is a medical disorder that may manifest several different conditions including hyperthyroidism (over-activity of thyroid hormone production), infiltrative exophthalmos (protruberance of one or both eyes and associated problems) and infiltrative dermopathy (a skin condition usually of the lower extremities). This disorder is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is known to be related to an antibody mediated type of auto-immunity, but the trigger for the reaction is unknown.
Also known in the English-speaking world simply as Graves' disease, the disease occurs most frequently in women (8:1 compared to men). It occurs most often in middle age but is not uncommon in adolescents, during pregnancy, at the time of menopause and in people over age 50. Symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss (despite a good appetite), rapid heart beat, heat intolerance, muscle weakness, palpitation, increased bowel activity, emotional lability, and restlessness. In premenopausal women, there may be a reduction in the amount of menses (oligomenorrhea). Because similar antibodies to those stimulating the thyroid may also react with the eye muscles, patients may develop an enlargement of the ocular muscles with resultant forward movement of the eyeball (proptosis, also called exopthalmos) and inflammation of the tissues around the eye. Enlargement of the eye muscles may result in difficulty with proper movement and coordination of the eyes, and cause double vision and an obvious disparity in the relative position of both eyes.
The ocular manifestations of Graves-Basedow disease are more common in smokers and tend to worsen (or develop for the first time) following radioiodine treatment of the thyroid condition. Thus, they are not caused by hyperthyroidism per se; this common misperception may result from the fact that hyperthyroidism from other causes may cause eyelid retraction or eyelid lag (so-called hyperthyroid stare) which can be confused with the general appearance of proptosis/exopthalmos, despite the fact that the globes do not actually protrude in other causes of hyperthyroidism. Also, both conditions may exist at the same time in the hyperthyroid patient with Graves-Basedow disease.
More on [ Graves-Basedow disease ]
The doctor called me about the results of the thyroid test. It is confirmed....Graves disease. They will try meds first. #fb
angeliasims (Angelia Sims) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:18:57 -0000
The doctor called me about the results of the thyroid test. It is confirmed....Graves disease. They will try meds first. #fb
http://tinyurl.com/ygcdtfs - graves disease eye makeup. for those of us who don't want to risk the zombie apocalypse after surgery
pesti_cupcake (B Alicea) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:55:08 -0000
http://tinyurl.com/ygcdtfs - graves disease eye makeup. for those of us who don't want to risk the zombie apocalypse after surgery
@boSS278 yes I had Graves Disease ... Isn't that the scientific word for that?
NERDee_Betty (DeJanee' Harper) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:13:52 -0000
@boSS278 yes I had Graves Disease ... Isn't that the scientific word for that?
@swissms99 I had Graves disease as a teenager. It went into remission when I was around 20. Thankfully I have had no issues since.
HappyRN34 (Sharon Boone) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:19:04 -0000
@swissms99 I had Graves disease as a teenager. It went into remission when I was around 20. Thankfully I have had no issues since.
Have not been diagnosed w/ GD or others RT @dearthyroid Do u have Graves' disease or another thyroid autoimmune disease. I have GD/genetics.
swissms99 (Beth) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:05:09 -0000
Have not been diagnosed w/ GD or others RT @dearthyroid Do u have Graves' disease or another thyroid autoimmune disease. I have GD/genetics.
TSH holding steady, eyes tested OK, Graves' disease being held in check for now.
richharms (Richard Harms) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:54:13 -0000
TSH holding steady, eyes tested OK, Graves' disease being held in check for now.
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A Champion Battles Thyroid Disease:Gail Devers' Story - An interview with the Olympic gold medal winner, regarding her personal experience with this disease. Features a video.
Meta Description: [ Track star Gail Devers shares her story of battling thyroid disease in this video webcast. ]
Balancing Act - A look at Graves' disease from a husband's perspective. Observer article by Peter Silverton.
Dr. Paul Fitzgerald, M.D.: Graves' Disease - Discusses symptoms, exophthalmos, skin myxedema and treatment options.
Meta Description: [ I have been a physician for over 30 years. For more than 25 of those years, I have been at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), first as a fellow in endocrinology & metabolism and now as a Clinical Professor of Medicine. I am a member of UCSFĂ•s Division of Endocrinology and Diabet... ]
Dreddy Clinic: Graves' Disease - Symptoms and causes as well as self-care tips for Graves' ophthalmopathy.
Meta Description: [ Graves Disease - Graves disease, named after Robert J. Graves, MD, circa 1830s, is an autoimmune disease characterized by hyperthyroidism due to circulating autoantibodies. Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSIs) bind to and activate the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors, causing the... ]
Elaine Moore's Graves' Disease Education Site - A personal site that discusses diagnosis, laboratory tests, treatments and ophthalmopathy.
Graves' Disease - Frequently asked questions and comments on possible complications if left untreated. From The National Women's Health Information Center.
Graves' Disease Resource Page - In-depth information, support, and personal stories for patients and their families. Includes before and after photos of ophthalmopathy surgeries.
Me, Myself, and My Thyroid - Patient site that offers insight and words of wisdom for dealing with this disease.
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Graves’ Disease - Definition, causes, risk factors, and prognosis.
Medstudents: Graves' Disease - Also known as Parry's or Basedow's disease and diffuse toxic goiter. Includes management of hyperthyroidism, etiology, prevalence, incidence, pathology and clinical features.
Meta Description: [ A review of the key concepts of
management of Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism), including definition,
etiology, prevalence, incidence, pathology and clinical features. ]
My Personal Battle With Autoimmine Thyroid Disease - A personal story about fighting Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Meta Description: [ A personal journal about fighting autoimmune thyroid disease. ]
My Personal War With Graves' Disease - Discusses the importance of early detection and correct diagnosis. Includes stories by other Graves' patients.
Meta Description: [ This personal site was made in hopes of helping to create
public awareness about Graves' Disease and the importance of early detection and correct
diagnosis. ]
National Graves' Disease Foundation - Educational organization open exclusively to people with Graves' disease, their families, friends and health care professionals.
Meta Description: [ National Graves' Disease Foundation ]
Personal Experience with Graves' Disease - Diary that discusses diagnosis and treatment choices.
Postgraduate Medicine: The Many 'Faces' of Graves' Disease - Describes the clinical manifestations and biochemical markers that aid in diagnosis as well as other disorders that may mimic Graves'.
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