Graves Disease is a condition involving the thyroid gland. The thyroid is situated at the base of the neck, behind the throat. The thyroid gland is responsible for a multitude of functions in the body, including metabolism, and when it is not functioning properly, the entire body system is affected.
Graves Disease is a hereditary condition that results when too much thyroid hormone is produced by the thyroid. it is actually a disease process, that sometimes skips a generation. What brings on the disease ranges from trauma to the body, extreme stress, sometimes hormone changes, such as puberty, or even a virus. It is like a switch being turned on. Once the switch is “on,” the symptoms begin.
When too much thyroid hormone is produced, a condition known as hyperthyroidism develops. Hyperthyroidism causes the heart to race, profuse sweating, hot flashes, weight-loss , frequent bowel movements, loose stools, despite no change in diet or exercise habits. Often this symptom is not troublesome to women, who are more affected by the disease than men. There are other symptoms that are distinct stress markers of this disease, that often go undiagnosed, due to the similarities of this Graves Disease and anxiety disorder.
An experienced thyroid physician, called an Endocrinologist, will examine a patient and have them hold out their hands. If the hands appear shaky, that is a definitive symptom of the disease. A goiter in the neck may be present, which causes the neck to bulge. Sometimes a patient may complain of difficulty swallowing, thus they tend not to eat as much, and lose more weight.
Graves Disease is autoimmune in nature. As the disease progresses, the excess thyroid hormone causes the immune system to malfunction, and attack various organs. A patients heart may become affected by excessive symptoms, causing palpitations, and the eyes may become bulgy, called Graves Disease orbitopathy, due to the muscles behind the eyes swelling and protruding, causing a “bug-eyed” appearance. Sometimes eye surgery is needed to relieve the pressure.
This disease is often miss-diagnosed until the later stages. It is usually confirmed by blood tests, involving a measuring of thyroid hormone in the blood, or TSH. If a sufferer does not get properly diagnosed, they may suffer for years with what they think is a mental illness, or nervous disorder. If Graves Disease is not caught in time, sometimes it may result in death, due to the strain on the heart muscle.
Treatment for Graves Disease has remained the same for decades, and usually involves the ingestion of a radioactive pill, called radioactive iodine, to disable the thyroid permanently. Surgery is rare, unless cancer of the thyroid is detected. Once the thyroid is no longer functioning, a patient must take a synthetic or natural form of thyroid hormone, which is generally adjusted over a period of months to the right dosage. During this time, the patient might experience the same or new symptoms, until the right dosage is found.
Some patients do well on synthetic thyroid hormone, the most common being synthroid. Some doctors and patients prefer a natural hormone called Armour Thyroid, which is derived from pig thyroid, but this is not often used. When a person is “cured” from the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, the disease often goes into remission. There is a chance that a patient can become hypothyroid, and doctors will take the necessary steps to educate their patients about this possible outcome from radioactive iodine treatment.
Hypothyroidism is the opposite of hyperthyroidism. The patient may experience weight gain, find it hard to lose weight, dry, brittle or thinning hair, dry skin, chills, cold, and most debilitating, fatigue. The eyes may become dry, and remain in a permanent state of dryness, thus artificial tears may have to be used on a daily basis. This is a big problem for me, severe dry eyes. A person may also become constipated. If this happens, a hi-fiber diet is recommended, along with healthy eating habits in general.
The immune system is permanently altered by this disease, and diet may help a sufferer to feel better. Other symptoms may develop, including food and environmental allergen sensitivity. Alternative treatments for thyroid disease include acupuncture, though for more serious suffers, it is best to visit a doctor to get the necessary diagnosis and tests to determine the correct course of action. Graves Disease gained nationwide attention when senior president Bush and first lady Barbara Bush were diagnosed with the disease. The first lady’s eyes were affected, and President Bush experienced the heart symptoms. This is a debilitating disease to have, so it is imperative that people find a good endocronologist, and carefully consider their own individual treatment options.
