Graves Disease - Understanding the Basics

Graves Disease is the main cause of hyperthyroidism and is caused by a defect in the immune system. Autoimmune disease may be understood as a process by which the body sees some part of itself as being foreign and reacts to it much the same way that it would with any bacteria or virus. In the case of Graves' disease, the body sees the thyroid gland as the foreign object and produces antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. This causes the thyroid gland to produce a greater than normal amount of the hormone called thyroxine. When you have excess thyroxine in your body, your metabolic rate can increase by 60 percent to 100 percent because thyroxine controls the metabolism of the cells. A higher metabolism can lead to a number of health problems, such as an irregular heartbeat or anxiety. Signs and symptoms of Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism may include: Sensitivity to heat Weight loss, despite normal food intake Brittle hair Light menstrual periods Frequent bowel movements Restlessness