Graves-Basedow disease: symptoms, causes and treatment

Thyroid hormones are a substance produced by the thyroid glands. These hormones perform an infinite number of functions in our body, especially in the processes metabolic, but which are especially known for their role in the regulation of energy and body temperature.

Although without its functioning our body would have a very difficult time surviving, its hyperproduction can also lead to different physical diseases, one of which is Graves-Basedow disease.. Therefore, we will dedicate this article to talk about what Graves' disease is and what its symptoms, causes, and treatment are.

What is Graves-Basedow disease?

Graves' disease, also known as Graves-Basedow disease, is a disease of the immune system that affects the thyroid, being the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. That is, from the excessive and abnormal production of thyroid hormones.

Since these thyroid hormones have diverse roles in many different body systems, the symptoms of Graves' disease can be very varied and significantly interfere with the general state of health of the person.

Among all these symptoms, perhaps the best known is the development of an ocular bulge caused by Graves' ophthalmopathy, which usually causes serious eye problems in between 25 and 80% of affected people.

The specific causes of Graves-Basedow disease have not yet been clarified. However, it is hypothesized that a combination of genetic and environmental factors is the cause of this condition. Regardless of the cause, there is a treatment for this disease which may consist of radioactive iodine therapy, drug therapy or thyroid surgery.

According to studies, Graves' disease appears with seven times more incidence in women than in men, with a probability of occurrence of 0.5% in men and 3% in women. Usually, the first symptoms of this disease usually appear around 40 to 60 years of age, but the reality is that anyone can be affected by it.

What symptoms does it present?

As mentioned above, thyroid hormones have a fundamental role in any process metabolic and functional of our tissues, so any alteration in its production can lead to an infinite number of symptoms.

In the specific case of Graves' disease, there is hyperactivation of the thyroid glands. (hyperthyroidism), so the symptoms of the disease are related to the excessive production of thyroid hormones.

The main symptoms of Graves' disease are:

• Mild tremor in hands and fingers
• heat sensitivity
• Increased perspiration and/or warm, moist skin
• Weight loss despite maintaining normal eating habits
• Goiter or enlargement of the thyroid glands
• Alteration of the menstrual cycle
• Erectile dysfunction and/or decreased sexual desire
• Increased bowel movements
• Graves' ophthalmopathy
• Graves' dermopathy
• palpitations
• feeling of fatigue
• Anxiety
• Irritability

Of all the above symptoms, Graves' ophthalmopathy and Graves' dermopathy are the most easily identifiable. We explain them below:

Graves' ophthalmopathy

Although it does not have to happen in all people, about 30% of Graves' disease cases show signs and symptoms of a condition called Graves' ophthalmopathy. This type of alteration is characterized by an alteration of the immune system that causes inflammation of the muscles and tissues that surround the eyes. As a result, the person develops bulging eyes that are very characteristic of this disease.

In addition, this ocular alteration usually causes discomfort and symptoms related to vision. These include:

• Gritty feeling in the eyes
• Eye pressure or pain
• Swollen or receding eyelids
• Red or swollen eyes
• hypersensitivity to light
• Double vision
• vision loss

Graves' dermatopathy

The second most visible and characteristic sign of Graves' disease is a very rare, called Graves' dermopathy, which is redness and thickening of the fur; especially at the height of the shins or on the top of the foot.

Causes

Given its autoimmune nature, Graves' disease is known to be caused by a malfunction of the immune system. However, the exact reason for this defect has not yet been determined.

In a properly functioning immune system, a normal immune-producing response occurs. antibodies to the appearance of a virus, bacteria or any pathogenic agent in order to attack. However, in Graves' disease, for reasons that are not yet understood, the body produces antibodies to attack part of the cells of the thyroid glands.

These antibodies related to Graves' disease, called thyrotropin receptor antibodies, act as a regulatory hormone of the pituitary gland. As a consequence, this antibody overrides the normal regulation of thyroid function, causing an overproduction of thyroid hormones or hyperthyroidism.

Risk factor's

Although it is not known exactly what triggers Graves disease, there are a number of risk factors associated with its onset. Risk factors for Graves' disease include:

• Family history with cases of Graves disease
• Sex: women have a higher incidence of this condition
• Age: the probability of developing this disease increases after 40 years of age.
• experimentation of emotional or physical stress
• Pregnancy
• smoking

Is there a treatment?

The main goal of treatment for Graves' disease is to inhibit the production of thyroid hormones and block their effect on the body. For this, the patient can undergo the following treatments for Graves disease.

1. radioactive iodine therapy

By administering radioactive iodine orally, a decrease in size or shrinkage is produced of the thyroid gland, so symptoms gradually abate over several weeks or months.

2. Antithyroid drug therapy

Antithyroid drugs, such as propylthiouracil and methimazole, interfere with the function of the thyroid glands to decrease hormone production.

3. Beta-blocking drugs

Unlike antithyroid drugs, beta-blockers do not inhibit the production of thyroid hormones, but instead block their effect on the body. These drugs include:

• Propranolol
• Atenolol
• Metoprolol
• Nadolol

4. Surgery

Thyroidectomy or subtotal thyroidectomy consists of the partial or complete removal of the thyroid. After surgery, it is very possible that the person needs supplements to supply the body with the normal amounts of thyroid hormones needed.

5. Treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy

While people with mild eye problems can resort to the use of drops, artificial tears or gels ocular lubricants, the most severe cases of Graves ophthalmopathy the following interventions are recommended or treatments:

• Corticosteroids
• Glasses with prisms to eliminate double vision
• Orbital decompression surgery
• orbital radiation therapy