- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020, December 5). Graves’ disease. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/graves-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20356240#:~:text=Graves’%20disease%20is%20an%20immune,disease%20can%20be%20wide%20ranging.
- NORD – National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. Graves’ Disease. NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/graves-disease/ .
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Graves’ Disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/graves-disease .
Autoimmunity: In Our Words
Overview
GD occurs when specific antibodies mistakenly bind to thyroid cells, overriding the normal regulation of the thyroid, causing the thyroid to produce and release excessive thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism).
Common Symptoms
Weight loss, muscle weakness, hand tremors, rapid and irregular heartbeat, anxiety, decreased libido, heat sensitivity, diarrhea, goiter, weight loss, puffy eyes, trouble sleeping, irritability, and enlarged thyroid. More rarely, eye and skin conditions occur. One-third of people with GD will develop eye inflammation, and about 5% of affected individuals will experience severe or permanent vision issues.
Coexisting Diseases and Conditions
Hashimoto’s disease, subacute thyroiditis, silent thyroiditis, infectious thyroiditis, radiation-induced thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis.
Risk Factors and Prevalence
Having another autoimmune disease can exacerbate one’s risk of developing GD. These include rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia, lupus, Addison’s disease, celiac disease, vitiligo, and type 1 diabetes. Additionally, having a family history of GD is a known risk factor. Pregnancy, having recently given birth, and smoking cigarettes have been found to increase one’s risk.
Article Sources
Look After Yourself and One Another in Tiwi Islands
This video is part of the Federal Government’s ‘Indigenous Australians Health Program’ (IAHP) which aims to close the health and life expectancy gap. The video was created with the support of the Communities of the Tiwi Islands and the Tiwi Islands Health Clinics Julanimawu clinic at Wurrumiyanga, Jipuwampilala clinic at Milikapiti and Pirlangimpi Clinic.
Keeping Healthy The Good Way, Borroloola
This video is part of the Federal Government’s ‘Indigenous Australians Health Program’ (IAHP) which aim is to contribute to closing the health and life expectancy gap. It was created with the support of the Borroloola Communities and the Borroloola Community Health Centre.
Recent Research
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