Hyperthyroidism caused by Graves’ disease is a condition that causes the thyroid gland to create too much thyroxine. It is the main hormone secreted into our bloodstream that helps with digestion, heart and muscle function, brain development, and maintenance of bones. When thyroxine levels go haywire, the body secretes antibodies, or thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins, to fight off the hormones. These antibodies attach themselves to healthy thyroid cells, causing your thyroid to create thyroid hormones more than the normal amount.
Thyroid hormones affect your nervous system function, brain development, body temperature, and more. If not treated by a physician, Graves’ disease can lead to:
- Extreme weight loss
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Physical and mental fatigue
To help you watch out for Graves’ disease, some of the most common symptoms are rapid heart rate, tremors, weight loss, heat insensitivity, sleep problems, muscle weakness, goiter, difficulty with bowel movement, and difficulty getting pregnant.
Thankfully, though, hyperthyroidism caused by Graves’ disease is treatable. Our internal medicine in Texas can help treat you through antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine therapy, or thyroid surgery.
Our civil surgeon at CRESTVIEW HEALTH PLLC shares that experts believe it’s possible that your genes and a virus or other external trigger both play a part in its development. People at risk of getting Graves’ disease are those with a family member who has Graves’, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, or Crohn’s disease. Stress, age, and gender are also key factors.
As such, if you find yourself at risk of getting Graves’ Disease, make sure to get in touch with our health care in San Antonio, Texas, right away.
