Graves' Disease: Symptoms & Signs

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland in the neck. Graves' disease causes hyperthyroidism, or overactivity of the thyroid gland.

Signs and symptoms of Graves' disease include

• excessive sweating,
• fatigue,
• heat intolerance,
• high blood pressure,
• a fast heart rate,
• an irregular heart rate,
• palpitations,
• anxiety, and
• nervousness.

Associated signs and symptoms can also include

• an abnormal protrusion of the eyes,
• the absence of menstruation,
• diarrhea,
• an enlarged thyroid gland,
• hair thinning,
• hand tremor,
• insomnia or sleep disturbances,
• irritability, and
• muscle weakness.

It can also lead to complications during pregnancy.

Cause of Graves' disease

The cause of the condition is abnormal stimulation of the thyroid gland by substances known as thyroid stimulating immunoglobins (TSIs) that bind to and activate thyrotropin receptors.

Other graves' disease symptoms and signs

• The Absence of Menstruation
• A Fast Heart Rate
• An Abnormal Protrusion of the Eyes
• An Enlarged Thyroid Gland
• An Irregular Heart Rate
• Anxiety
• Diarrhea
• Excessive Sweating
• Fatigue
• Hair Thinning
• Hand Tremor
• Heat Intolerance
• High Blood Pressure
• Insomnia or Sleep Disturbances
• Irritability
• Muscle Weakness
• Nervousness
• Palpitations

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Where is the thyroid gland located? See Answer