Brief Overview
Grave’s disease is an autoimmune disorder and the most common cause of Hyperthyroidism. In this condition, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to an excessive production of thyroid hormones. The overactive thyroid gland results in Hyperthyroidism and a range of symptoms that affect various body systems.
Eye symptoms such as lid retraction and exophthalmos are caused by lymphocytic infiltration of orbital fat, connective tissue and extraocular muscles.
Graves’ disease has specific features relating to the presence of TSH receptor antibodies:
- Diffuse goitre (without nodules)
- Graves’ eye disease, including exophthalmos
- Pretibial myxoedema
- Thyroid acropachy (hand swelling and finger clubbing)