Graves disease is an autoimmune condition wherein the person’s immune system launches a self-assault on the thyroid gland leading to it producing excessive thyroxine (T4). Thyroid gland produces T4 which is a hormone having 4 iodine molecules affixed to its molecular structure. T4 alongside other thyroid hormones assist in regulating development and controlling metabolism within the body.
Graves disease is a type of hyperthyroidism in which elevated thyroxine levels leads to a proportional rise in the person’s metabolic rate which could have an impact on their dispositions and how they physically appear.
Though Graves disease could arise irrespective of age or gender, it has been observed to prevalently inflict women of age twenty years and over. Presently there are no drugs or treatment for halting the person’s immune system launching a self-assault on the thyroid gland. But, certain treatments could allay the signs experienced and reduce thyroxine production.
Symptoms of Graves disease:
Nervousness.- Mood swings and tetchiness.
- Sleeplessness.
- Weariness.
- Erratic cardiac beats or arrhythmia.
- Hastened cardiac beats or tachycardia.
- Finger and hand tremors felt.
- Sensitiveness to heat.
- Weight reduction despite following a normal dietetic intake.
- Easily breakable hair.
- Thyroid gland enlargement or Goiter.
- Variations in menstrual period cycles.
- Greater frequency of bowel motions.
Symptoms of Graves’ ophthalmopathy (exophthalmos):
Prevalently such individuals have mild-ranging Graves’ ophthalmopathy symptoms.
Exophthalmos is when eyes protrude or bulge. Protruding eyes is a sign of Graves’ ophthalmopathy that occurs due to inflammation (swelling) of the muscle and tissue located at the back of the eyes. Orbit or eye socket due to its non-flexible and hard nature is incapable of accommodating the larger-sized eyeball hence leading to the bulging. Graves’ ophthalmopathy is prevalent among those who smoke and have Graves’ disease in comparison to those Graves disease patients that do not smoke.
In quite extreme scenarios, proper closure of eyelids is not possible, particularly while asleep leading to dryness in the eyes.
Those having Graves’ ophthalmopathy could exhibit the below mentioned signs and symptoms:
- Grittiness or itchiness in the eyes.
- Ocular inflammation.
- Reddishness in the eyes.
- Widening of the space in-between the eyelids.
- Swelling of the eyelid and tissues located around the eyes.
- Sensitiveness to light or photophobia.
When extent of severity is more, then the below mentioned signs and symptoms could develop:
- Ulcer formation in the cornea.
- Dual vision or diplopia.
- Limited eye motions.
- Lowered or blurry vision.
Graves’ dermopathy
Reddishness and inflammation (swelling) noted on skin like the shin and top portion of feet. This is uncommonly found.
