Graves' disease

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that can affect the body in a variety of ways. At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, our seasoned health care professionals can help you understand what Graves’ disease means for you and help you make an informed decision about your best course of treatment.

What is Graves' disease?

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, or an overactivity of the thyroid gland.

What causes Graves' disease?

Graves' disease is caused by an abnormal immune system response, leading to increased activity of the thyroid. The thyroid gland releases the hormones that control body metabolism, essential for regulating mood, weight, mental and physical energy levels. The disorder can affect anyone at any age but is most common in women over age 20.

What are the symptoms of Graves' disease?

Graves' disease can affect people differently based on their age.

Graves' disease symptoms in younger patients

• Anxiety
• Breast enlargement in men
• Difficulty concentrating
• Double vision
• Exophthalmos, or bulging eyeballs
• Eye irritation and tearing
• Fatigue
• Frequent bowel movements
• Goiter
• Heat intolerance
• Increased appetite
• Increased sweating
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Muscle weakness of the hips and shoulders
• Moodiness
• Nervousness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Restlessness and difficulty sleeping
• Shortness of breath with activity
• Tremor
• Weight loss or gain

Graves' disease symptoms in older patients

• Chest pain
• Memory loss
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Weakness and fatigue

How is Graves' disease diagnosed?

Your provider will do a physical exam and may find that you have an increased heart rate. An exam of your neck may find that your thyroid gland is enlarged. Other tests include blood tests or radioactive iodine uptake and scan.

Graves' disease may affect the following test results:

• Anti-TSH receptor antibody
• Orbit CT scan or ultrasound
• Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody
• Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI)

What are risk factors for Graves' disease?

Age, sex, heredity, emotional and environmental factors influence the likelihood of developing Graves' disease. People with other autoimmune diseases have an increased chance as well. Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and vitiligo are all associated with Graves' disease.

Graves' disease treatment and recovery

Treatments for Graves' disease are usually aimed at controlling the overactive thyroid and can include antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine and surgery.

Treating eye symptoms of Graves' disease

Sometimes prednisone (a steroid medication that suppresses the immune system) is needed to reduce eye irritation and swelling. You may need to tape your eyes closed at night to prevent drying. Sunglasses and eye drops may reduce eye irritation.

In rare cases, surgery or radiation therapy (different from radioactive iodine) may be needed to prevent further damage to the eye and loss of vision. Your Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic provider will work with you to determine your best course of treatment.