Post on 25-Feb-2016
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Graves Disease
Taylor Dobbs
Graves Disease The most common form of hyperthyroidism When the immune system mistakenly attacks your
thyroid gland and causes it to overproduce thyroxine Usually develops in women after the age of 20
Causes Autoimmune disorder There is no way to stop your immune system from
attacking your thyroid
Signs and Symptoms Anxiety
Mood swings
Difficulty concentrating
Occasional mental impairment
Double vision
Expothalmos (eyes)
Eye irritations/watering/sensitivity to light
Fatigue
Frequent bowel movements
Groiter
Heat intolerance/frequent sweating
Increased appetite
Insomnia
Tiredness
Irregular menstral cycle
Muscle weakness
Muscle cramps
Nervousness
rapid/irregular heart rate (palpitations)
Shortness of breath
Tremors
Weight loss/or gain
Hair loss
Chronic sinus infections
Brittle nails
Oily skin
Upset stomach due to increased calcium levels
Groiter
When the thyroid gland appears to be large, and a visibly swollen or large neck is seen.
Expothalmos
When eyes appear to be bulging or “buggy”-In some cases this is
severe
Diagnosis
Examination of neck for groiter Blood tests
TSH, T3, free T4 Ultrasound Radioactive iodine uptake
TSH, T3, and free T4
TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (thyrotropin); regulates the function of the Thyroid Gland
– 0.3-3.0
T3: Triiodothyronine; affects almost every physiological proccess in the body. Ie: growth and development, metabolism, temperature, heart rate
– 70-180
Free T4: determines how the thyroid is functioning– .8-1.5
Treatment
Anithyroid medications Methimazole, propylthiouracil
Radioactive treatments Surgery Heart medication
atenonol
Prognosis
-Patients with Graves Diseases can usually go into remission with the proper dosages and blood work done frequently.
-Surgery for the removal of the thyroid gland is an option.
-If left untreated, Graves Disease can be fatal.
Prevention
-No way to prevent Graves
-Some symptoms may be prevented with proper diet, exercise, and health care