Graves Disease -causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Treatment of Graves Disease

First described by Sir Robert Graves in the early 19th century, Graves' disease is one of the most common of all thyroid problems. It is also the leading cause of hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excessive hormones.
Graves' disease is a thyroid disorder characterized by goitre, exophthalmos, and hyperthyroidism. It is caused by an antibody-mediated auto-immune reaction as to form anti-TSH-Receptor antibody. However, the trigger for this reaction is still unknown. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the world, and the most common cause of general thyroid enlargement in developed countries

Graves' Disease is a type of autoimmune disease that causes over-activity of the thyroid gland, causing hyperthyroidism. This over-activity is also sometimes called "toxic diffuse goiter." The thyroid gland helps set the rate of metabolism, which is the rate at which the body uses energy. When the thyroid is too active, it makes more thyroid hormones than the body needs. High levels of thyroid hormones can cause side effects such as weight loss, rapid heart rate and nervousness.

Causes of Graves Disease
Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. The production of thyroid hormone is increased, causing a wide range of symptoms from anxiety and restlessness to insomnia and weight loss. In addition, the eyeballs may begin to stick out (exophthalmos), causing eye irritation and tearing.In Graves' disease, your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland, but instead of destroying the gland, an antibody called thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) stimulates the thyroid to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormone.

Doctors aren't sure what triggers this problem, but they do know that the immune system is involved. In Grave's disease patients, they find antibodies specifically designed to stimulate the thyroid.It has a familial tendency. The disease is characterized by the formation of autoantibodies that bind to receptors in thyroid cell membranes and stimulate the gland to hyperfunction.

What are the symptoms of Graves Disease
Tremors (fine trembling of the hands and fingers)
Changes in menstrual patterns (usually lighter flow, less frequent periods)
The thyroid gland grows larger (goiter) as it produces more and more hormone. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include weight loss, nervousness, irritability, sweating, dislike of hot weather, shakiness, and rapid pulse. About 50% of patients have red, watery, bulging eyes (the actor Marty Feldman had a severe case).

How is Graves' disease treated?
Radioactive iodine (I-131), which destroys part or all of the thyroid gland and renders it incapable of overproducing thyroid hormone; or
Subtotal thyroidectomy, in which a surgeon removes most of the thyroid gland and renders it incapable of overproducing thyroid hormone.

Beta blockers. These medications, which include propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor) and nadolol (Corgard), often relieve hyperthyroid signs and symptoms, such as a rapid heart rate, nervousness and tremors. These medications aren't a cure for Graves' because your body will still produce too much thyroxine, but beta blockers block some of the action of the thyroid hormone. Beta blockers are often used in conjunction with other forms of treatment.Anithyroid Drugs (ATD's) This is the route that I chose. The drugs inclue Methimazole, and PTU. I chose PTU. These medications stop the thyroid from overproducing hormones, it's the excess of hormone that's causing the thyrotoxicosis.