Definition | Graves' disease

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease manifested by a hyperthyroidism. It is due to an overproduction ofantibody TSH receptors (thyroid-stimulating hormone), which stimulate the thyroid continuously leading to excessive production of T3 hormones and T4.

These antibodies can also target oculomotor muscles, which causes them inflammation and exophthalmia (eyes bulges) characteristic of the disease. Graves' disease is 5 to 10 times more common in women than in men, and occurs more frequently between 40 and 60 years of age.

Comedian Marty Feldmann suffered from Graves' disease. © Avro, Wikimedia Commons, CC by-sa 3.0 NL

Graves' disease: symptoms

The symptoms of Graves' disease are linked to hyperthyroidism:

• intense tired physical and psychological;
• nervousness, anxiety, sleeping troubles ;
• weight loss despite increased appetite;
• acceleration of transit ;
• extremity tremors;
• profuse sweating ;
• intolerance to heat ;
• polydipsia (excessive thirst);
• tachycardia;
• goiter in the thyroid ;
• unilateral or bilateral exophthalmos, sometimes with eyelid irritation.

At a more advanced stage, Graves' disease causes atrophy with muscle weakness. The complications are mainly cardiac (heart failure, fibrillation).

Graves' disease: diagnosis and treatment

The diagnostic is based on dosage TSH, systematically collapsed, accompanied by an increase in the rate of T3 and T4. A scan and scintigraphy are sometimes helpful in distinguishing Graves' disease from other causes of hyperthyroidism.

The disease progresses in various ways, with phases of relapses and remissions. Three main methods are used to treat hyperthyroidism:

• anti-thyroid drugs that reduce hormone production;
• partial or complete destruction of the gland thyroid by ingestion ofiodine 131 radioactive;
• partial or complete removal of the thyroid gland (reserved for recurrent large goiter).

The last two options involve taking thyroid hormones for life.