Causes and Risk Factors of Graves’ Disease
As with most autoimmune diseases (in which the immune system attacks the body’s own cells), researchers aren’t sure exactly what causes Graves’ disease. (1) They suspect it is a combination of genes and some other trigger, such as a virus.
Risk Factors
The following factors can increase your risk of developing Graves’ disease, according to the Mayo Clinic: (2)
Family history Graves’ disease is more common when other family members have the condition.
Sex Women are far more likely to develop Graves’ disease.
Younger age Graves’ disease usually develops in people under the age of 40.
Other autoimmune disorders People with other autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, have a greater risk of developing Graves’ disease.
Emotional or physical stress If you are genetically more susceptible to developing Graves’ disease, stressful life events or illnesses may trigger the condition.
Graves’ Disease and Pregnancy
Pregnancy Pregnancy or recently giving birth may increase your risk of Graves’ disease, particularly if you are genetically more susceptible to the condition.
Smoking Cigarette smoking can affect the immune system, and it increases the risk of Graves’ disease. People who smoke and have Graves’ disease also have a greater risk of developing Graves’ ophthalmopathy.
Treatment and Medication Options for Graves’ Disease
The three treatment options for Graves’ disease are medicine, radioiodine therapy, and thyroid surgery, according to the NIDDK. (1) Your doctor will help you decide which treatment is best for you based on your age, whether you are pregnant, or whether you have other medical conditions.
Radioiodine Therapy
Radioiodine therapy is the most common treatment for Graves’ disease in the United States, and it entails taking radioactive iodine-131 (I-131) orally as a capsule or liquid. I-131 slowly destroys the cells of the thyroid gland that produce thyroid hormone. In some cases, you may need more than one radioiodine treatment to bring your thyroid hormone levels into the normal range, but it’s not likely.
Most people who have radioactive iodine treatment later develop hypothyroidism, because the thyroid hormone–producing cells have been destroyed. However, hypothyroidism is easier to treat (it can be controlled with medication) and causes fewer long-term health problems than hyperthyroidism.
Medication Options
Medications to treat Graves’ disease include:
Beta blockers Beta blockers don’t stop your thyroid from producing thyroid hormone, but they can quickly improve symptoms until other treatments begin working.
Antithyroid medicines Antithyroid medicines cause your thyroid to make less thyroid hormone. They usually don’t cure Graves’ disease, but in some cases, the effects last for a long time, even after you are no longer taking the medication. Methimazole is the most commonly prescribed antithyroid medicine. However, during the first three months of pregnancy, propylthiouracil is more commonly prescribed, because in rare cases, methimazole may harm the fetus (propylthiouracil may also affect the fetus in rare cases).
Antithyroid medicines can cause the following side effects:
- Allergic reactions, including rashes and itching
- A decrease in the number of white blood cells in your body, which can lower resistance to infection
- Rarely, liver failure
Thyroid Surgery
Surgery to remove the thyroid gland is another treatment for Graves’ disease, but it is used less frequently than radioiodine therapy and medication. It may be used to treat people with large goiters, or pregnant women who are allergic to or have side effects from antithyroid medicines.
If you have thyroid surgery, you will develop hypothyroidism and need to take thyroid hormone medicine every day for the rest of your life.
Healthy Living With Graves’ Disease
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
Certain lifestyle changes can also help improve Graves’ disease symptoms and boost general health, such as eating well and exercising, according to the Mayo Clinic. (2) Weight gain may occur when hyperthyroidism is successfully treated, because the thyroid controls the metabolism, so eating healthfully and exercising are important. Graves’ disease can also cause brittle bones, and weight-bearing exercises can help maintain bone density.
Stress may trigger Graves’ disease or make it worse, so stress-relieving practices can help, such as listening to music, taking a warm bath, or walking.
Research and Statistics: Who Has Graves’ Disease?
Graves’ Disease Across the Life Span
Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States, affecting about 1 out of every 200 people, according to the NIDDK. (1) Women are 7 to 8 times more likely to have Graves’ disease than men.
Graves’ disease usually affects people between ages 30 and 50, but it can develop at any age.
