Graves Disease Research Paper

Graves Disease

Jalen Jole

Bio 202

What is graves disease?

Graves disease also known as toxic diffuse goiter is an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid gland located in the neck. This gland regulates every day functions such as mood, mental and physical energy, and weight. It does this by releasing T3 and T4. When the gland begins to make too much of these hormones it is known as hyperthyroidism. Graves disease is usually the most common cause of hyperthyroidism and can lead to many issues if not properly treated.

Symptoms

Symptoms of graves disease can be broken down by groups. For younger people symptoms such as anxiety, problems sleeping, fatigue, hair loss, increased bowel movements, increase appetite, irregular menstrual cycles

for woman, muscle weakness, mood swings, rapid heart rate, and tremors. For older people symptoms may include rapid heart rate, chest pain, memory loss, and weakness. However both age groups can experience problems with their eyes. The eyes can begin to bulge out that can cause pain. The eyes may always be tearing and have a feeling of irritation. Double vision is also common in cases.

How do you know if you have graves diseases?
Many health care providers can identify weather or not you have the disease by a physical exam. Increase heart rate and a enlarged thyroid gland can be key signs for early diagnosis. Blood test may be done to see what levels of thyroid stimulating hormones, T3, and T4 are in the body. New methods such as radioactive iodine uptakes and scans can be used to diagnose the disease but can be costly.

Treatment
There are many methods that can be used to treat graves. Beta-blockers are commonly used to treat symptoms such as the increased heart rate, sweating and anxiety until the thyroid gland is back under control. For actual treatment of the thyroid drugs can be given to block or change the way the persons thyroid uses iodine. Other treatments such as radioiodine therapy is a pill that the person takes by mouth. The iodine molecules get attracted to the overactive cells in the thyroid and then damage the tissue. In bad cases the use of this radioactive iodine can lead to major damage of the gland resulting in the gland having to be removed. If removed the patient will have to take replacement thyroid hormones through the course of their lives. Often with treatment the eyes will slowly return to normal. However, radioiodine therapy has been known to make eye problems worse. Sometimes patients are given prednisone to reduce eye swelling and irritation. Taping the eyes shut at night wearing sunglasses and using eye drops on a regular basis can help reduce irritation. In critical cases corrective surgery or radiologic therapy may be used to prevent any further harm.

After Treatment
Often enough graves disease responds well to treatment. The most common side effect of hyperthyroidism is hypothyroidism or a underactive thyroid. Proper dosage of thyroid hormone replacement will need to be taken to keep the body in homeostasis without the replacement hormone people may lead to have symptoms of depression, sluggishness, and weight gain.