Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that causes a condition called hyperthyroidism. With this condition, your thyroid gland creates too much thyroid hormone in the body. Graves’ disease is one of the most common forms of hyperthyroidism.
It affects more people assigned female at birth than people assigned male at birth. It typically occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 50, but it can affect children and older adults. Some Basic Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism may include irritability, muscle weakness, sleeping problems, a fast heartbeat, poor tolerance of heat, diarrhea and unintentional weight loss.
Causes of Graves’ disease: The exact cause of the disease is unclear; however, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Genetics: A genetic predisposition for Graves’ disease is seen, with some people more prone to develop TSH receptor (Anti-Thyrotropin) activating antibodies due to a genetic cause. According to an article by Healthline published on the 27th of October,2021 Scientists know that people can inherit the ability to make antibodies against their own healthy cells. But they have yet to find a clear cause of Graves’ disease or determine who will develop it.
Infectious trigger: According to an article by Healthline published on the 27th of October,2021, if you have an autoimmune disease like Graves’ disease, though, your immune system begins to fight against healthy tissues and cells in your body therefore triggering a bacterial infection
The bacterium bears structural similarity with the human thyrotropin receptor and was hypothesized to contribute to the development of thyroid autoimmunity arising for other reasons in genetically susceptible individuals.
Stress: According to an article Written by Laura Tennanton May 3, 2021, Medically reviewed by Stefano Guandalini, MD, there is some evidence that thyroid problems and stress are linked, but the nature of the link is less clear. Some studies have suggested that stress may cause thyroid issues, and it’s also plausible that thyroid problems can make a person more vulnerable to stress.
Mechanism: Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins recognize and bind to the thyrotropin receptor (TSH receptor) which stimulates the secretion of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). TSI attaches to healthy thyroid cells, causing your thyroid to overproduce thyroid.
The bottom line
Without treatment, Graves’ disease can contribute to heart problems, weak and brittle bones, and pregnancy complications. Prompt treatment, however, can improve your symptoms and help lower your chances of health complications.
