Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Illustration of the thyroid gland Thyroid gland

Graves' disease is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). While a number of disorders may result in hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease is the most common cause.

Because thyroid hormones affect a number of different body systems, signs and symptoms associated with Graves' disease can be wide ranging and significantly influence your overall well-being.

Graves' disease is rarely life-threatening. Although it may affect anyone, Graves' disease is more common among women and before the age of 40.

The primary treatment goals are to inhibit production of thyroid hormones and lessen the severity of symptoms.

Symptoms
References
  1. Graves' disease. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/graves/Graves.pdf. Accessed April 19, 2011.
  2. Brent GA. Clinical practice: Graves' disease. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;358(24):2594.
  3. Bahn RS. Graves' ophthalmopathy. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2010;362:726.
  4. Bartalena L, et al. Clinical practice: Graves' ophthalmopathy. The New England Journal of Medicine 2009;360:994.
  5. Davies T, et al. Thyrotoxicosis. In: Kronenberg HM, et al., eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191205553-3/0/1555/0.html#. Accessed April 20, 2011.
  6. Thyroid disorders in pregnancy. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec18/ch261/ch261q.html. Accessed April 19, 2011.
  7. Stan MN, et al. Risk factors for development or deterioration of Graves' ophthalmopathy. Thyroid. 2010;20:777.
  8. Ross DS. Radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2011;364:542.
  9. Hyperthyroidism. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec12/ch152/ch152e.html. Accessed April 19, 2011.
DS00181 July 7, 2011

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger