You Are Here » Graves' Disease » What is Graves' Disease?
Graves' Disease
Contents of this Article
What is Graves' Disease?
Graves' Disease is a type of * autoimmune disease that causes over-activity of the thyroid gland, causing hyperthyroidism. This over-activity is also sometimes called "toxic diffuse goiter."
The thyroid gland helps set the rate of metabolism, which is the rate at which the body uses energy. When the thyroid is too active, it makes more thyroid hormones than the body needs.
High levels of thyroid hormones can cause side effects such as weight loss, rapid heart rate and nervousness. This is an uncommon disease that affects 2 percent of all women at some time in their lives.
Graves' Disease also tends to affect women between the ages of 20 and 40, although it occurs in infants, children, and the elderly.
Definitions For This Page - In Alphabetical Order
* Autoimmune Disease
An autoimmune disease occurs when the body's immune system becomes misdirected and attacks the very organs, cells, or tissues that it is supposed to protect. About 75 percent of autoimmune diseases occur in women, most often during their childbearing years.
Back To Top
References:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
January 2006
www.womenshealth.gov
|