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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffThough the cause of Graves' disease is unknown, researchers believe a combination of factors may determine your likelihood of developing Graves' disease, such as:
- A family history of the disease
- Sex — Women are seven times more likely to develop Graves' disease than men.
- Age — Graves' disease usually develops after age 20.
- Stress
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
References
- Graves' disease. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/graves/Graves.pdf. Accessed April 23, 2009.
- Hyperthyroidism. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. http://www.aace.com/pub/thyroidbrochures/pdfs/Hyperthyroidism.pdf. Accessed April 23, 2009.
- Nyirenda MJ, et al. Thyroid-stimulating hormone-receptor antibody and thyroid hormone concentrations in smokers vs. nonsmokers with Graves' disease treated with carbimazole. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2009;301:162.
- Cawood TJ, et al. Smoking and thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: A novel explanation of the biological link. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2007;92:59.
- Davies TF. Pathogenesis of Graves' disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 27, 2009.
- Brent GA. Graves' disease. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;358:2594.
- Rubin DI. Neurologic manifestations of hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 27, 2009.
- Davies TF. Treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy (orbitopathy). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 27, 2009.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 13, 2009.
- Propylthiouracil-induced liver failure. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed June 17, 2009.
