Graves' disease is an autoimmune condition resulting in the overproduction of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid gland.
The immune system is designed to identify, attack, and destroy any harmful substances in the body's immune system. With Graves' disease, the immune system malfunctions, attacking healthy thyroid tissue.
What Are The Symptoms of Graves' Disease?
Graves' disease affects the thyroid gland and "speeds up" the function of several other bodily organs, including the eyes, skin, bones, heart, liver, etc.
Timely diagnosis is crucial due to the widespread systemic effects of this disease. Delayed diagnosis increases the risk of a "thyroid storm," a life-threatening condition that causes the person's heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature to reach dangerously high levels quickly.
The symptoms of Graves' disease are similar to hyperthyroidism and can include:
| • | Rapid heart rate (Tachycardia) |
| • | Irregular heartbeat (Arrhythmia) |
| • | Excessive sweating |
| • | Weight loss |
| • | Shortness of breath |
| • | Muscle weakness |
| • | Brittle hair and/or nails |
| • | Hair loss |
| • | Brain fog/memory lapses/difficulty concentrating |
| • | Anxiety |
| • | Depression |
| • | Fatigue |
| • | Irregular menstrual periods |
| • | Decrease in menstrual periods |
| • | Restlessness |
| • | Elevating blood pressure |
| • | Increased respiration |
| • | Bulging eyeballs called thyroid eye disease or Graves' Ophthalmopathy. This occurs when the immune system attacks the tissues and muscles around the eyes. |
| • | Insomnia |
| • | Irritability |
| • | Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) |
| • | Hand tremors |
| • | Increased bowel movements |
| • | Heat intolerance |
What Causes Graves' Disease?
Graves' disease is caused by the immune system producing an antibody that binds to the receptor for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prompting it to produce more hormone. The result is overproduction of thyroid hormones and hyperthyroidism.
As with other autoimmune diseases, the exact reason for this response is unknown.
What Are The Complications of Graves' Disease?
The complications of Graves' disease are many and can include:
| • | Difficulty conceiving/infertility/recurring miscarriage |
| • | Heart rhythm disorders and structural changes in the heart muscle |
| • | Graves' ophthalmology |
| • | Brittle bones that can lead to osteoporosis |
| • | Thyroid storm: occurs when the person's heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature spike to dangerously high levels. A thyroid storm is usually fatal if aggressive treatment is not administered immediately. |
How Common Is Graves' Disease?
According to the National Institutes of Health, "Graves' disease affects nearly 1 in 100 Americans. About 4 out of 5 cases of hyperthyroidism in the United States are caused by Graves' disease."
What Are The Most Common Risk Factors For Graves' Disease?
Those at greater risk of developing Graves' disease include:
Gender.
Women are more likely to have any thyroid disorder than men, including Graves' disease. Indeed, the American Thyroid Association (ATA) estimates that one in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder during their lifetimes. Experts aren't sure why women are more susceptible to thyroid disease, but many believe hormonal fluctuations, hormone imbalances, or autoimmune susceptibility play a role.
Family History.
Having a family history of Graves' disease or Hashimoto's disease.
Age.
Graves' disease typically occurs in those aged 40 to 60.
Pregnancy.
A woman's thyroid cells increase in number during pregnancy, causing the thyroid gland to grow by up to 40%.This can trigger an overproduction of thyroid hormone, often leading to Graves' disease diagnosis. (This condition can occur within one year postpartum.) Indeed, women who have recently given birth are about 7 times more likely to develop this disease
History of Autoimmune Disorders.
Having other autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, etc.
Smoking.
Research shows that cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing Graves' disease than nonsmokers. Unlike lung cancer, past nicotine use does not seem to increase the risk for this condition, though.
Natural Ways to Manage Graves' Disease Symptoms?
You should always follow your doctor's advice, including taking prescribed medications for Graves' disease. However, below are a few natural things you can do to help reduce symptoms, and they are excellent adjuncts to medical treatment.
Monitor Your Iodine Intake
Consuming too much iodine can dramatically increase thyroid hormone production, which you do NOT want if you have Graves' disease.
The recommended daily iodine intake is 150 micrograms (mcg) per day for most healthy adults. But the maximum intake may be lower if you have Graves' disease. (Always speak to your doctor before adjusting your iodine intake.)
You can add iodine to your diet by using iodized salt. However, a high sodium intake is not healthy, so you'll probably be better off consuming iodine foods.
Foods with high amounts of iodine include:
| • | Scallops |
| • | Cod |
| • | Shrimp |
| • | Tuna |
| • | Salmon |
| • | Sardines |
Get More Selenium
Selenium is a mineral crucial for converting thyroid hormone T4 to the active T3 form. So, without this mineral, your thyroid gland would not be able to function.
There is also a link between selenium and Graves' disease. For example, research shows that those newly diagnosed with Graves disease were more likely to have low selenium levels. And get this...those with higher levels of selenium showed a reduction in Graves' relapse rate.
The current daily value (DV) for selenium is 55 micrograms.
You can obtain the recommended DV by increasing your intake of selenium-rich foods.
Foods containing selenium include:
| • | Tuna |
| • | Oysters |
| • | Brazil nuts |
| • | Beef |
| • | Pork |
| • | Chicken |
| • | Tofu |
| • | Whole wheat pasta |
| • | Mushrooms |
| • | Shrimp |
Speak with your health care provider before increasing your selenium intake.
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