Signs and Symptoms of Graves’ Disease
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune thyroid disease that manifests as hyperthyroidism. If you have Graves’ disease, your body produces autoantibodies that attack thyroid cells, and the cells respond by producing too much thyroid hormone.
Graves’ disease is different from “regular” hyperthyroidism because unlike regular hyperthyroidism, Graves’ is an autoimmune disorder with measurable thyroid antibodies. You can get a blood test that tests for the presence of thyroid antibodies to determine whether your symptoms are autoimmune in nature. We have put together a list of signs and symptoms of Graves’ disease below.
The Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Graves Disease include:
- bulging eyes
- insomnia
- rapid weight loss
- increased appetite and sometimes enormous hunger
- the need to eat large quantities of food every few hours, even at night
- enlarged thyroid
- fatigue
- feeling hot, sweating more than usual
- a raspy, croaky voice (can also be a sign of hypothyroidism)
- hand tremors
- diarrhea
- anxiety, nervousness or panic attacks
- palpitations
- depression
- light menstrual periods
- muscle weakness, especially in the upper arms and thighs
- feeling a lump or swelling in the thyroid area
- hair loss
- sensitivity to iodine
- extreme sensitivity to light
- itching, burning eyes and skin
- mood swings
- premature greying of the hair
- extreme irritability and nervous tension during a “thyroid storm”
Diagnosis of Graves Disease
Diagnosis of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is typically done through a TSH test, as well as through a T4 or total thyroixine test, a free T4 or free thyrosxine test, a total T3 test and a free T3 test. As well, thyroid antibody tests can detect antibodies that signal the presence of Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease, even when TSH levels are normal.
Recommended – Test for Heavy Metals and Mineral Imbalances using Hair Tissue Analysis
We suggest getting a hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) to help you determine accurately what your body needs more of in terms of essential trace minerals and needs to eliminate in terms of toxic heavy metals and toxic mineral ratios. Toxic mineral ratios and toxic metal accumulation following long term or acute exposure can contribute greatly to degenerative conditions like Graves’ disease.
Essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium and sodium all have important metabolic functions. However, too little or too much of any of these essential minerals can have an adverse affect on the human body and it’s ability to recover. How can a hair analysis help me achieve better health? If we consider that diet is what we consume and nutrition is what we retain, then we can see that discovering what your body needs when it needs it is a valuable tool in creating health. |
The dangers of exposure to toxic heavy metals such as mercury, lead and aluminum have been well documented over the years. Levels of heavy metals in the body can only be accurately measured using a hair tissue analysis or a chelation challenge test (which can be expensive and have serious side-effects). Blood or urine tests give information about your metal or mineral levels at the time of the test only.
Testing for minerals in the urine measures the minerals that are being excreted from your body – not necessarily what has been absorbed as fuel for your body. So blood and urine tests are like snapshots whereas a hair analysis is the video of your mineral retention. A hair analysis provides a biological profile of the past 2 – 3 months of intracellular activity revealing a unique metabolic world, which cannot be seen through most other tests. The hair mineral analysis gives you or your healthcare professional much-needed information about mineral deficiencies and chemical imbalances in your body, especially if you’re suffering from symptoms of any disease or disorder, including Graves’ disease. For FAQ’s about hair analysis, please click here. For an overview of what is covered in a comprehensive hair analysis report (by Trace Elements, Inc.), please click here. |
To purchase a comprehensive Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (by Trace Elements, Inc.) from Evenbetternow Natural Health Solutions, please click here. |
Books for People With Signs and Symptoms of Graves Disease
Graves’ Disease: A Practical Guide Elaine A. Moore |
Living Well with Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You…That You Need to Know Mary J. Shomon |
Life Manual for Graves Disease & Hyperthyroid Svetla Bankova |
Graves’ Disease In Our Own Words Jake George |
What Causes Graves’ Disease?
- Inherited Tendency Towards Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
- Stress
- Iodine Intake
- Overuse of Diet Pills
- Heavy Metals Such as Mercury and Lead
- Toxic Chemicals
- Smoking
- Radiation to the Neck
- Certain Drugs (Such as Alpha Interferon and Interleuken-2)
- Infectious Organism
- Viral Infections
Graves’ Disease Resources
General Patient Resources
- Graves’ Disease Foundation
Educational organization open exclusively to people with Graves’ disease, their families, friends and health care professionals.
http://www.ngdf.org/
- Living With Graves Disease . com
Living With Graves‘ Disease offers a unique website dedicated to interaction between sufferers of illnesses through active, health minded health forums.
http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/forums/
- MD Junction
Graves’ Disease Forums. Discussions, Q&A and friends dealing with Graves’ Disease.
http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/graves-disease-discussions
- American Thyroid Association
Patient information and brochures
http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Graves_brochure.pdf
- National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Services
A service of the National Institute of Health
http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/graves/
Medical Resources
- Mayo Clinic
Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, treatment of this thyroid disorder.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/graves-disease/DS00181
- Web MD
Have you heard of Graves’ disease but don’t really know what it is? Find out now.
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-graves-disease-basics
- Medscape Reference
Professional website for doctors discussed treatments and trends.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/120619-overview