Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism or overactivity of the thyroid gland. It is most common in women over age 20. Symptoms include anxiety, rapid heartbeat, eye problems, weight loss and more. Graves' disease occurs when the immune system produces antibodies that mimic the effects of thyroid stimulating hormone, causing the thyroid to overproduce hormones. Treatments include beta blockers, antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine or surgery to destroy the thyroid gland. While treatments are usually effective, they can sometimes lead to hypothyroidism if not managed correctly.

1. Graves
Disease
By: Nicole Karich
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Period 7/8
Mr. McGee

2. Diagnosis
 Graves Disease is an autoimmune disorder
that leads to over activity of the thyroid
gland (hyperthyroidism)
 It is most common in women over age 20
but can effect either gender at any age

3. Symptoms
• Anxiety • Insomnia
• Breast enlargement in men • Irregular menstrual periods
• Difficulty concentrating in women
• Double vision • Muscle weakness
• Eyeballs that stick out • Nervousness
(exophthalmos)
• Eye irritation and tearing • Rapid/irregular heartbeat
• Fatigue (palpitations or arhythmia)
• Frequent bowel movements • Restlessness or difficulty
• Goiter sleeping
• Heart intolerance • Shortness of breath with
• Increased appetite activity
• Increased sweating • Tremor
• Weight loss

4. Causes
• Abnormal immune system response that
causes thyroid gland to produce too
much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism)
• Normally, thyroid gets production orders
through TSH (thyroid-stimulating chemical)
released by the pituitary gland, but in
Graves Disease, a malfunction in the
body’s immune system releases abnormal
antibodies that mimic TSH

5. Treatments
• Beta blockers such as propanolol (treat rapid
heart rate, sweating, and anxiety)
• To treat hyperthyroidism:
-Antithyroid medications
-Radioactive iodine
-Surgery
**using radiation or surgery will require you to
take replacement thyroid hormones for the
rest of your life because these treatments
destroy the gland

6. Prognosis
 This disease usually responds to treatment.
However, sometimes radiation or surgery
will lead to hypothyroidism which can
lead to depression, mental/physical
sluggishness, or weight gain if the dose of
replacement thyroid hormone is not
correct

7. Bibliography
 Board, A.D.A.M. Editorial. "Graves Disease." PubMed
Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 4 June 2012.
Web. 25 Mar. 2013.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH00013
98/.
 Seibel, John A., MD. "Graves' Disease Symptoms and
Causes." WebMD. WebMD, 19 Mar. 2012. Web. 25 Mar.
2013. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-
guides/understanding-graves-disease-basics.