Getting A Hold of Graves’ Disease

Your heart is racing. You feel jittery. Your hands are shaky. You experience insomnia. Your menstrual cycles are out of whack. You could have Graves’ disease.

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks the thyroid gland creating overactivity or hyperthyroidism, and the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone called thyroxine.

Because the thyroid gland plays a role in the body’s metabolism or rate the body uses energy, too much thyroid hormone can increase metabolism causing weight loss, irregular heartbeat and anxiety. This disease also may affect the tissue around the eyes creating a bulging appearance.

The thyroid is part of the collection of glands located throughout the body known as the endocrine system. Their job is to produce hormones, which are chemical messengers. They regulate bodily processes such as metabolism, sleep, mood, growth and development, reproduction, tissue function and sexual function, to name just a few.

The thyroid itself is a small gland. It weighs less than an ounce and is shaped like a butterfly. It’s located at the base of the throat, just below the larynx, and consists of a pair of matching lobes that sit on either side of the windpipe. The thyroid takes the iodine in our diet and manufactures two main hormones, which help regulate vital functions throughout the body. These include heart rate, body weight, body temperature, muscle strength, breathing, cholesterol levels, the central and peripheral nervous systems, and in women, menstrual cycles. So any malfunction of the thyroid can have a wide ranging effect on general health.

Graves’ disease can develop in anyone at any age. But it develops in mostly women after the age of 20. The cause of this disease is unknown. People with existing autoimmune disorders are at an increased risk of developing Graves’ disease, and family history can play a role. Cigarette smoking is a risk factor as well.

Symptoms of Graves’ disease are unexplained weight loss, irregular heartbeat, as well as anxiety or irritability, sleep disturbance, fatigue, reduced libido, sensitivity to heat, and tremor in the fingers or hands. Some people develop Graves’ opthalmopathy, which is a collection of eye-related symptoms such as pressure, grittiness, light sensitivity and vision problems. Graves’ dermopathy, which is rare, causes the skin on the shins or tops of the feet to thicken and become red.

Doctors usually conduct a physical examination and a blood test to confirm Graves’ disease. Generally, it is treated in three ways. Beta-blockers are used to help with the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as heart palpitations and tremors. Medications such as methimazole or propothiouracil are given to prevent the thyroid from producing excessive amounts of hormones. However, both drugs have potential effects on liver function. Methimazole can also cause a low white blood cell count in a small percentage of patients.

Radioactive iodine is another option. The iodine collects in the thyroid gland, and over time, the radioactivity destroys overactive thyroid cells and causes the thyroid gland to shrink. In turn, that decreases the production of the thyroid hormone. This is an outpatient procedure. The most common side effect is ultimate hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Surgery is a choice if patients are not able to tolerate the medications and defer on the radioactive iodine. After surgery, patients need lifelong thyroid hormone replacement. The risks of this surgery include potential damage to the vocal chords and parathyroid glands, which produce a hormone that controls calcium levels. The risk is low in the hands of an experienced thyroid surgeon.

If Graves’ disease is treated incorrectly or not treated at all, complications can include osteoporosis, heart problems, and/or emotional challenges. Untreated Graves’ disease can even be deadly.

Some lifestyle choices you could make are to exercise and eat healthy. Also, find a way to reduce your stress. If you think you may have Graves’ disease, consult your doctor immediately.