Let's get to know Graves' disease

It is a pleasure to greet you again, and to be able to share with you what I consider to be topics of interest. Recently I was asked a question regarding a disease that I must confess I did not know, and it can happen. The reality is that within the possibilities of diseases that humans can suffer are infinite, and to know them all is practically impossible.

That is why today I will share part of what I investigated about Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease that I had never seen, and it turned out to be an interesting topic of research, even though unfortunately I had to investigate about it because someone I know suffers from it, but at first I could not guide him, since I did not know much about it, but I am not ashamed of not knowing, since it is a very uncommon disease, but now, after investigating, I have been able to learn about it.

So I invite you to continue reading, I know it is a disease that few will have read about or know very little about, but if you continue reading, at the end of this publication you will surely have a good idea. So continue, what I have to tell you will surely interest you.

Let's first define what Graves' disease is:

"Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland." ^Source

Graves' disease occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid, causing the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone, resulting in hyperthyroidism that can become very severe.

Graves' disease is an autoimmune condition that causes hyperthyroidism, i.e., excessive production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. In Graves' disease, the body's immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing the thyroid gland to release an excessive amount of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream, producing all the symptoms that correspond to hyperthyroidism.

The difference in this particular is in the fact that it is of an immune nature, however, surely everyone, or the great majority, knows what hyperthyroidism is.

Is there a known cause of Graves' disease?

It is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Although the exact cause of this condition is not known, it has been observed to be more common in people who have a family history of autoimmune disease and in those who have suffered a recent episode of severe stress or infection. What could be a trigger for this, but nothing is completely clear yet.

This can cause symptoms such as weight loss, excessive sweating, tachycardia and anxiety. If properly diagnosed and treated, Graves' disease can usually be effectively controlled.

Pixabay/ Author: mohamed_hassan

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in the lower part of the neck. It is butterfly-shaped and is located below the larynx (the upper part of the trachea). It is composed of two lateral lobes that are joined by a central isthmus.

The thyroid produces and releases thyroid hormones called Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine (T4 and T3), which are essential for proper body metabolism and growth. Thyroid hormones help regulate the body's energy and heat, the functioning of the heart and brain, and the sensation of hot or cold.

The thyroid gland also produces and releases calcitonin, a hormone that helps control calcium levels in the body.

When the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, a condition called hypothyroidism occurs. When it produces too much thyroid hormone, a condition called hyperthyroidism occurs. Both conditions can be treated with medication.

Pixabay/ Author: qimono

Fortunately, it is possible to treat severe disease:.

Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and how the patient responds to treatment, which is why constant monitoring of symptoms is required, in addition to ongoing assessment of hormone levels in the blood. In general, the objective of the treatment is to reduce the amount of thyroid hormones in the body and to control the symptoms.

And this is basically because the reasons for the immune disease itself are not known.

Therefore, some treatment options you might share are as follows:

• Medication: medications to reduce thyroid hormone production and control symptoms. *(As I have always said, this is an informational guide and not a recommendation for treatment).

• Radioactive iodine therapy: This treatment option involves taking a controlled dose of radioactive iodine, which damages the thyroid gland and reduces its ability to produce thyroid hormones. This must be strictly assessed by specialist medical personnel.

• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be recommended to remove part or all of the thyroid gland. The purpose of this is to reduce the amount of functioning glandular tissue in order to reduce the amount of hormones it can produce. This way is much more radical, and of course, it must be indicated by specialists in the area.

• Treatment with thyroid hormones: If the thyroid gland has been removed or damaged, it may be necessary to take medications containing thyroid hormones on a regular basis. In this case is when surgery is performed radically and the entire gland is removed, which will require the intake of hormones.

Pixabay/ Author: StockSnap

Other facts I would like to share:

• Graves' disease is more common in women than in men, with a ratio of approximately 8:1. Although Graves' disease can occur in people of any age, it is more common in younger women and older men.

• I would like to point out that although Graves' disease is more common in women, this does not mean that men cannot develop it. Anyone can be at risk for this condition, regardless of gender.

This is part of what I have learned in the research process that I wanted to share with all of you. *Did you know about this disease? If you have anything to add you can leave it in the comments and we can all benefit from it.

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• Links consulted

• Graves’ Disease: Pathophysiology, Genetics and Management

• Diagnosis and management of Graves’ disease

• AMERICAN THYROID ASSOCIATION® / Graves’ Disease

• Columbia Thyroid Center