Health Conditions

Grave’s Disease	Share | Bookmark
General Description Symptoms Causes Traditional Treatments Misdiagnosis of Symptoms Changes to Make Vitamins & Supplements Talk With Your Doctor Wellness Plan Remedies

 

General Description

What is
Grave’s Disease (Hyperthyroidism)?

Grave’s Disease, a form of Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine condition which occurs when
the thyroid gland experiences raised functionality due to an increase in
thyroid hormone production.  The thyroid
is a small, butterfly shaped gland located just above the collarbone. As a
member of the endocrine system, the thyroid is responsible for controlling many
aspects of bodily function, most notably metabolism and hormone regulation.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too much
hormone. The result is a host of symptoms which can affect an individual’s
quality of life, such as insomnia, sensitivity to heat, irritability, and
unnatural weight loss.  However, there is
a diverse assortment of effective treatments which can alleviate symptoms and
calm thyroid hormone production.

Approximately 1% of the American population, or
around 1 million people, suffer from hyperthyroidism.

Symptoms

For more
valuable information on the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, check out our full
length report

Causes

There are myriad causes for hyperthyroidism which range from
dietary intake to autoimmune disease. 
However, there are a variety of effective pharmaceutical and homeopathic
treatments that can help soothe the condition once its exact cause has been
established.  

• Graves’
  Disease – One of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism is Graves’
  Disease, an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the white blood cells of the
  immune system mistakenly and chronically attack the thyroid gland causing it to
  secrete too much hormone.  The medical
  community has yet to pinpoint the exact cause of Graves’ Disease, though there
  appears to be a hereditary component associated with the condition.

• Excessive
  Iodine – The overconsumption of iodine rich foods can cause the thyroid to
  produce too much active hormone. The thyroid absorbs iodine and uses it as a
  foundational building block for thyroid hormone production. The more iodine an
  individual ingests means the more iodine the gland will absorb and process,
  causing an overproduction of hormones.

•  Thyroiditis – Thyroiditis, a general term
  that refers to any non-autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland, is another
  cause of hyperthyroidism.  It can be
  caused by viral or bacterial infections, hormonal changes during or immediately
  after pregnancy, or by unknown causes. 
  When the gland becomes inflamed it causes stored thyroid hormones to
  escape and increase the amounts of thyroid hormone in the blood. The
  inflammation caused by Hashimoto’s Disease can also result in hyperthyroidism.

For
more valuable information on the causes of hyperthyroidism, check out our full
length report!

Traditional Treatments

There are two traditional forms of treatment for
hyperthyroidism: suppression of thyroid hormones through prescription
medication or the removal of all or part of the gland to decrease hormone
production.  Thyroid suppressant therapy,
also known as anti-thyroid treatment, is typically the first level response to
an overactive thyroid.  If the gland is
resistant to hormone suppressants, then health professionals may use
radioactive iodine or surgery to remove enough of the gland to reduce hormone
production.  Each of these avenues of
treatment yields positive and negative effects, and the best course of action
should be the result of patient and healthcare professional weighing these
facts together.

• Thyroid
  Suppressant Medication – Thyroid suppressants are often prescribed to
  individuals in the early stages of hyperthyroidism or who are dealing with a
  chronic hyperthyroid condition such as Graves’ Disease.  The two most common forms of anti-thyroid
  chemicals are Methimazole and Propylthiouracil. 
  Both of these drugs disrupt some of the production of thyroid hormones,
  resulting in normal levels of the hormones in the bloodstream.   

• Additional
  Prescription Medications – In addition to an anti-thyroid medication,
  healthcare providers may also prescribe other medications to address the
  specific symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as beta blockers, medicines for
  ADD/ADHD, and hormone therapy to regulate menstrual cycles.

• Radioactive
  Iodine Treatment – The treatment works to reduce the size of or eliminate
  the thyroid by killing the cells of the gland through an ingested dose of
  radioactive iodine.  The amount of gland
  affected can be determined by how much iodine is ingested.  Most patients see the desired results after
  one dose of the chemical, however two or more doses may be administered if
  necessary. The amount of the dose is an educated guess on the part of the
  endocrinologist based on laboratory results for iodine uptake, and it is
  unknown how much of the thyroid will be destroyed until after two months have
  passed.  The result is that many
  hyperthyroid patients who undergo the treatment end up with a smaller than
  normal thyroid gland or no thyroid gland, making them hypothyroid and dependent
  on synthetic thyroid hormone for life.

• Surgery –
  During thyroid removal surgery, known as a thyroidectomy, a surgeon
  manually takes out part or all of the thyroid gland to suppress hormone
  production. The main benefit of thyroid surgery is that a more precise amount
  of gland can be removed and the results of the procedure known instantly.  However, as with all surgeries, there are
  risks for complications and injury to surrounding areas, such as the voice
  box.  The procedure also leaves a scar
  that, depending on a variety of factors, can extend from three to six inches
  across the bottom of the neck and remain visible permanently.

For
more valuable information on traditional treatments for hyperthyroidism, check
out our full length report! 

Misdiagnosis of Symptoms

The broad list of both physical and mental symptoms
associated with hyperthyroidism makes the condition easy to misdiagnose.  The characteristic symptoms of the condition,
such as weight loss, elevated mood, irritability, and increased energy, can,
when taken out of context of each other, appear to medical professionals as
independent or unrelated issues. 

One factor that often results in a misdiagnosis of
hyperthyroidism is that specific symptoms of the condition are easier to
immediately identify and therefore mistaken for the root of a patient’s issues.
However, treatment of these symptoms alone will not address the underlying
cause.  The result is that a patient may
be diagnosed with several conditions, such as anorexia, insomnia, and mania,
but the root cause will remain undiagnosed and untreated.    

If you receive a diagnosis of one of the conditions below,
but suspect you might suffer from hyperthyroidism or Graves’ Disease, we advise
you to seek out a second opinion or contact an endocrinologist or alternative
healer versed in thyroid dysfunction. To prevent misdiagnosis of your
hyperthyroid symptoms, but sure to go to your appointment armed with as
detailed observations of your health as possible.

• Anorexia
  – Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an individual refusing to
  eat or eating very little, resulting in significant and dangerous weight loss.
  Physical symptoms of anorexia include extreme weight loss, fatigue, fainting,
  hair loss, brittle nails, lack of menstruation, low blood pressure, and a layer
  of fine, downy hair over the entire body. Hyperthyroidism, especially long
  undiagnosed hyperthyroidism, can mimic some of the signs of anorexia.  Many hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease
  patients have reported that they were under severe suspicion of anorexia from
  their personal network and medical professionals due to a lack of appetite,
  increased energy and desire for physical activity, and sometimes extreme weight
  loss. A simple blood test to analyze thyroid function can clear up this common
  misdiagnosis.

• Mania – Mania
  is a mental state that is characterized by extreme energy, high volatility, and
  flights of creativity. It is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, which
  can be the result of substance abuse or hormonal deregulation. Mania is a
  common symptom of hyperthyroidism due to the increased amount of brain
  chemicals stimulated by abnormal hormone production. Because the symptoms of
  mania tend to upstage any other symptoms an individual might report or a
  medical professional may notice, it is not uncommon for an individual suffering
  with severe hyperthyroidism to be misdiagnosed and treated with mood
  stabilizers. When a diagnosis of mania is given, always insist on thyroid
  hormone blood analysis. 

• Insomnia
  – Insomnia is a condition that occurs when an individual has trouble going
  to sleep or sleeping through the night. 
  Chronic insomnia can seriously affect an individual’s quality of life.
  Like mania, insomnia is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism. The result is that
  hyperthyroid patients find it more difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep or
  sleep deeply.  If you suffer from hyperthyroidism
  but are diagnosed with insomnia, you will note that with mild to moderate
  treatments (such as warm baths, reduced caffeine, and mild sleep aides) will do
  little to quell your symptoms. Before starting a regimen, be sure to have your
  thyroid levels checked.  

For more valuable information on the potential misdiagnosis of
hyperthyroidism, check out our full length report!

Changes to Make

Grave's Disease