Outline
What is Graves' disease?
Grave's disease is in which a person has overproduction of thyroid hormones.
Symptoms
A diagnosis of hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism are common occurrences in this day and age. Having symptoms associated with (but not limited to):
● Anxiety or irritability
● Fatigue
● Irregular heartbeats (palpitations)
● Poor sleep hygiene
● Weight loss or weight gain
● Epithermal sensitivity to heat or increase perspiration
How it differs from hyperthyroidism?
Graves’ disease, however, differs from a traditional diagnosis of hyperthyroidism due to it being an immune system disorder. As a result of this immune system malfunction the body produces an excess amount of thyroid hormone.
Subsequently, the autoimmune disorder will cause the thyroid gland to enlarge. It’s important to note that a distinctive Graves’ disease symptom related to this pathology (in conjunction with the symptoms listed above) would be; the bulging of the eyes of afflicted patients.
Antibody: thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb)
As a result of Graves’ disease, patients have an increased likelihood of developing; osteoporosis/or thinning of the bones, blood clots, heart failure and stroke.
The ophthalmopathy of Graves’ is unique. With about 30% of patients showing signs of acute inflammation of the muscles and tissues around the eyes.
Symptoms associated with ophthalmopathy
Common symptoms associated with this ophthalmopathy(an eye disease) would be (but are not limited to):
● Gritty sensation in the eyes
● Light sensitivity
● Double vision and/or vision loss
● Pressure or pain surrounding the eye
● Retracted eyelids
Dermopathy
Graves’ disease patients however are not only limited to ophthalmopathy, their Graves’ diagnosis also manifests dermopathy. This dermopathy refers to the reddening and thickening of the skin, commonly on the shins or top of the feet.
Treatment: Three main approaches
Good news is, there are three main approaches to treating Graves’ disease!
Radioiodine therapy: The first being radioiodine therapy, which involves patients ingesting radioactive iodine-131 (I-131) as a means of slowly destroying the thyroid gland that produces thyroid hormones.
In correlation with this treatment plan, patients will often also take beta blockers in order to help control symptoms during the start of the treatment.
Antithyroid medication: In addition to the radioiodine therapy, a more common approach is also, antithyroid medication, which only treats some symptoms. This form of treatment is beneficial to those who are not interested in surgery or I-131 treatment approaches, but is limited and is typically not a long term solution for most patients.
Thyroidectomy: The last treatment option for patients would be, undergoing the thyroidectomy surgery. This can prove to be beneficial since the removal of the thyroid gland would prevent further symptoms, while in turn preventing a condition referred to as the thyroid storm. The thyroid storm refers to the worsening of symptoms for sufferers which is a common occurrence for those who experience hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease.
Sources
Graves' Disease. (2017). The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases,.https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/graves-disease
Mayo Staff, . (2020, December). Graves' Disease. Mayo Clinic,.
Bulging Eyes Image Woman.https://thyroidnosurgery.com/hyperthyroidism/graves-disease-101-treatment-and-cardiac-problems/
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