Guest guest Posted June 23, 2005 Report Share Posted June 23, 2005 Dear Angie, You don't tell much; like were you Dx w/ Graves?; or do you have hyperthyroidism?; a goiter?, etc. I wonder what brings you to ask. But since all I have here is a " generic " question, I'll try to give you a good " generic " answer, and hope that it helps!! There are several reasons for a person to develop signs of HYPERTHYROIDISM (high thyroid hormone levels in the bloodstream*). *[FYI: Another cause of hyperthyroidism is a supressed TSH (Thyroid- Stimulating-hormone) but this is much less common, and has nothing to do with GRAVES disease] One cause of HYPERTHYROIDISM, to the point of THYROTOXICOSIS** (which basically means the thyroid hormones in the bloodstream or so high that they cause 'toxic' symptoms) is GRAVES disease. **[FYI: Some scientists and/or MD's use the terms HYPERTHYROIDISM and THYROTOXICOSIS interchangeably, but THYROTOXICOSIS is actually a more specific term, denoting a series of clinical disorders associated with increased levels of 'free thyroxine' and 'triiodothyronine'.] The most common form of THYROTOXICOSIS is GRAVES' disease. The hallmark signs of GRAVES' disease is: 1) Enlargement of the Thyroid gland. Usually this is seen by the naked eye as a " lump " at the base of the throat. It can be small (walnut sized) or as large as a cantelope half! (obviously in a patient without treatment!). Sometimes this enlargement is felt from the 'inside' before or after it can be visually detected, as the person will feel " fullness " in the throat, have difficulty swallowing, or become " hoarse. " 2) Hyperactivity of the gland. This just means what we've been talking about so far - the increased thyroid hormones in the bloodstream. 3) Presence of antibodies against it's own thyroid gland. It is this particular sign that is the determining factor in the diagnosis. Several diseases can have the signs of #1 and #2, but only GRAVES' has these particular autoantibodies that bind to the TSH receptor, causing the gland to hyper-function. These TSH receptor antibodies (TSH-R Ab) are present in about 80% of patients with GRAVES'. Other antibodies, such as ANA are generated in GRAVES' with antimicrosomal and/or antithyroglobulin antibodies being increased in most patients. [ I don't mean to imply that no other thyroid disease has antibody " issues! " Some do -like " Hashimoto's thyroiditis which involves autoantibodies as well, just not the same kind..] OK...but you wanted the symptoms, right (sorry, it is one of my weaknesses to make a long story even longer -or to give WAY more info than was asked for ). THE MAIN SYMPTOMS OF GRAVES' ARE: 1. Hyperthyroidism/thyrotoxicosis: Sweating, weight loss (sometimes gain), anxiety, loose stools, heat intolerance, irritability, fatigue, weakness, menstrual irregularities. 2. Tachycardia (clinically dx as 'resting' heart rate of greater than/or equal to 100 beats per minute. This is a very " generic " definition, and needs to be dx'd by an MD),warm/moist skin, stare, tremor. 3. In GRAVES'disease there is a goiter (enlarged thyroid) and often ophthalmopathy (enlarged eyeballs) Angie, there is more (there's always more...!)but this is the basics. Hope this helps, you can always email me with " confidential " questions. Just remember, I am not an MD, only a nurse - but a very experienced, curious, and motivated nurse -who can no longer work in a " physical setting " due to my own diseases! So I love the occasional challenge of a good question! Thank you! Love, > Does anyone know what the symptoms of graves disease are. Thanks for > any information. > > Thanks > Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 Thanks for your answers. I haven't been diagnosed with it but was told by the nurse this is one of the things they are thinking it may be. I do have a goiter and lots of nodules they found on the ultrasound I have to have a thyroid scan, the uptake and a fine needle biopsy. I was just trying to find out some stuff as I really don't know. She said it could be graves desease, cancer, or many other things including nothing. So i just want to do some research as I have learned it helped greatly with me knowing what to talk to the doctor about the RA THanks Angie > > Does anyone know what the symptoms of graves disease are. Thanks > for > > any information. > > > > Thanks > > Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 Hi gang. I was treated for Graves disease 10 years before I was dx with scleroderma. I was given 2 vials of radioactive iodine and within 2 weeks I was in so much pain. I remember putting heating pads all over my body. I have spoken to so many people who had Graves before the scleroderma reared its ugly head. Anyone here that had this happen? BTW, thanks for all the info on this digest. Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2011 Report Share Posted April 16, 2011 Check the messages from the last 2 weeks.someone reported that it helped hi,. Look also at iodine,l-carnitine and special lithium I am using the Free version of SPAMfighter.SPAMfighter has removed 3317 of my spam emails to date.Do you have a slow PC? Try free scan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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