Graves' disease is an immune system condition that affects the thyroid gland. It causes the body to make too much thyroid hormone. That condition is called hyperthyroidism. Thyroid hormones affect many organs in the body. So Graves' disease symptoms also can affect those organs. Anyone can get Graves' disease. But it's more common in women and in people older than 30.
La enfermedad de Graves es una afección del sistema inmunitario que afecta a la glándula tiroides. Hace que el cuerpo produzca demasiada hormona tiroidea. Esta afección se conoce como hipertiroidismo. Las hormonas tiroideas afectan a muchos órganos del cuerpo. Por lo tanto, los síntomas de la enfermedad de Graves también pueden afectar a esos órganos. Cualquier persona puede contraer la ...
Diagnosis To diagnose Graves' disease, your healthcare professional may do a physical exam and ask about your medical and family history. Tests might include: Blood tests. Blood tests show the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones in the body. TSH is the pituitary hormone that spurs the thyroid gland. People with Graves' disease most often have lower than usual ...
Discolored, swollen skin In rare cases, people with Graves' disease develop Graves' dermopathy. This causes the skin to change colors and swell, often on the shins and feet. Thyrotoxic crisis This rare condition also is called thyroid storm. Hyperthyroidism raises the risk of thyrotoxic crisis. It causes severe, sometimes life-threatening symptoms.
Research Mayo Clinic has been researching and treating Graves' disease and its associated eye-related changes — called thyroid eye disease or Graves' ophthalmopathy — for many years. That tradition of innovation in research of thyroid disorders continues today.