Graves' Disease Disease Summary

Graves’ disease is a systemic autoimmune disorder in which thyrotropin receptor antibodies stimulate the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor, increasing thyroid hormone production.
Thyrotoxicosis signs and symptoms include hyperactivity, irritability, insomnia, dysphoria, sweating, heat intolerance, palpitations, weakness, fatigue, weight loss despite increased appetite, diarrhea, steatorrhea polyuria, decreased libido, tachycardia, tremor, goiter, alopecia, gynecomastia, eyelid lag or retraction and rarely periodic paralysis.
Clinical features in thyrotoxic patient that suggests Graves's disease are ophthalmopathy, thyroid dermopathy, thyroid acropachy, diffuse goiter, antibodies to thyroid peroxidase or thyroglobulin and thyroid radionuclide scan demonstrating a diffuse goiter.
Treatment methods will depend on clinical presentation, age of the patient, and clinical preference.

For further information regarding the management of Graves' Disease, please refer to Disease Algorithm for the Treatment Guideline.