Graves’ Disease – autoimmune disease
Grave’s disease is an autoimmune disease caused by stimulatory TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)-receptor antibodies. It is one of the causes of thyrotoxicosis. The incidence is 9 females to 1 male. It commons in women and men age between 30-50 years old.
On examination, diffuse thyroid enlargement can be seen (neck lump). Most of the time the patient will by hyperthyroid, however, the patient may also present as hypo or euthyroid (normal thyroid function). Grave’s disease also associated with some other autoimmune diseases such as vitiligo, type 1 diabetes mellitus and addison’s disease.
Disease manifestations:
1. Eye disease:
· exophthalmus (staring appearance)
· ophthalmoplegia (pain on movement of the eye ball)
2. Pretibial myxoedema – oedematous swellings above the lateral malleoli
3. Thyroid acropachy – extreme manifestations
· Clubbing (deformity of the nail)
· Painful finger
· Toe swelling
· Periosteal reaction in limb bones
Other relevant topics:
· Thyrotoxicosis
· Graves’ disease
· Toxic mutinodular goiter
· Toxic adenoma
Reference:
1. Oxford handbook of Clinical Medicine. 7th edition. Oxford University Press. 2008.
Tags: autoimmune, diabetes mellitus, euthyroid, graves' disease, thyrotoxicosis, TSH, vitiligo
Technorati Tags: autoimmune, diabetes mellitus, euthyroid, graves' disease, thyrotoxicosis, TSH, vitiligo
The most common sign of Grave’s disease is goitre i.e. enlarged neck area which acts as alerting sign too the patients to go for treatment. This is more common in areas where iodine deficiency persists. Goitre is endemic in those areas.