Graves’ disease is an immune disorder resulting from hyperthyroidism which is the over production of thyroid hormones. It is caused by a dysfunction in the body’s disease fighting immune system. It is rarely life threatening and more common among women, usually before the age of forty. Graves’ disease symptoms and signs have a wide range of effects as a result of thyroid hormones and how they affect different body systems. As a result, Graves’ disease symptoms can significantly influence your overall well-being. With thyroid hormones affecting so many different body systems often times your physician will use several methods of diagnosis in order to ensure they have ruled out other possible disorder. There are few tests designed specifically when one presents with Graves’ Disease symptoms that can accurately diagnose Graves’ disease.
Some of the more common Graves’ Disease symptoms include difficulty sleeping, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, tremors in your hands and fingers, weight loss without a change in eating habits, increased perspiration, change in menstrual cycles, sensitivity to heat, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, goiter or enlargement of the thyroid gland, erectile dysfunction or reduced libido, diarrhea, and thick, red skin on the shins or tops of your feet.
Approximately 50% of all individuals who show Graves’ disease symptoms may experience Graves’ ophthalmopathy symptoms as well. These show up as bulging of the eyes with puffy eyelids, reddened or inflamed eyes, light sensitivity, double vision, blurry or reduced vision, excess tearing or dry, irritated eyes, and in rare instances ulcers in the cornea.
In trying to understand your symptoms, it becomes quite clear that these Graves’ disease symptoms are difficult to pinpoint and establish as a cause for how your body is feeling. One of the reasons for this is hyperthyroidism affects a wide range of body functions such as your metabolism, heart and nervous system function, menstrual cycle, body temperature and muscle strength; all of these can result in a decline in quality of life.
The goal of treatment is to correct the malfunction in your immune system by restoring thyroid hormone levels to their respective balance and to relieve any discomfort. One of the most common treatments is the use of a strong dose of radioactive iodine to help destroy cells in the thyroid gland. The iodine used does not harm surrounding tissues and organs despite having an ability to destroy the thyroid cells. This treatment will cause the thyroid’s hormone secretion to drop over the next several months. If this treatment fails to reduce the severity of your Graves’ disease symptoms, other treatment options should be considered.
An additional of treatment is the use of anti-thyroid medications. Anti-thyroid medications interfere with the iodine the thyroid uses in your body to produce hormones. In some cases there is a need for surgery to treat Graves’ disease and its associated symptoms. This surgical option is safe and fairly simple. In a thyroidectomy the goal is the removal of the thyroid. Because the treatments limit the thyroid’s ability to manufacture hormones, you run the risk of developing hypothyroidism. To prevent this from happening, treatments to supply your body with normal amounts of thyroid hormones may become necessary. It is also very important if you have gone through any treatments for Graves’ disease that you continue to see your doctor for check ups to continue to monitor your hormone levels and ensure these levels remain consistent.