Your thyroid gland regulates metabolism and body temperature. When it malfunctions, conditions like Graves' disease can develop.
Women face higher risk for Graves' disease across all age groups. Dr. Malini Gupta, endocrinologist at G2Endo, explains critical aspects of this condition.
Graves' disease attacks the healthy thyroid through antibodies, causing hyperthyroidism. It represents the most common hyperthyroidism form.
Symptoms include nervousness, hand tremors, heat intolerance, weight loss, menstrual changes, sleep difficulties, rapid heartbeat, and fatigue. Approximately 40% of patients also experience thyroid eye disease with bulging, watering eyes.
Diagnosis requires blood tests showing hyperthyroidism levels. Antibody testing confirms Graves' disease specifically.
Traditional treatments include oral antithyroid medications like methimazole and propylthiouracil, radioactive iodine therapy, and surgical thyroidectomy. These approaches manage hormone levels rather than addressing the autoimmune root cause.
New medications in clinical trials target Graves' disease's underlying cause, offering potential alternatives for patients struggling with current treatment options.
Untreated Graves' disease can lead to heart failure, bone density loss, and potentially fatal thyroid storm requiring immediate medical attention.