Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesGeneticsEnvironmentalLifestyle Risk FactorsNext in Graves’ disease GuideHow Graves' Disease Is Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Genetics
Environmental
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Next in Graves’ disease Guide
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Learn more about the causes and risk factors of Graves’ disease.
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Graves' Disease: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
Graves’ disease is anautoimmune diseasethat occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. When a person has Graves’ disease, the immune system produces anabnormal antibodyknown as thyroid-stimulatingimmunoglobulin(TSI).
A combination of genetic and environmental risk factors is believed to cause Graves’ disease. Certain lifestyle habits also contribute to the development of the disease.
1:59Click Play to Learn All About Graves' Disease
1:59
Click Play to Learn All About Graves' Disease
Anyone can develop Graves’ disease, but having a family member with the condition can increase your risk of developing it. Research shows that hereditary factors account for 75% to 80% of a person’s risk of developing Graves’ disease.
Family and twin studies show that a single gene does not cause Graves’ disease—multiple genes and genetic variants contribute to its heritability.
Some of the genes responsible for developing Graves’ disease include:
Immunomodulators:Genes responsible for regulating the immune system have been linked to Graves’ disease. These include HLA, CD25, CD40, CTLA-4, and FOXP3.
Thyroid function genes:Genes responsible for thyroid function, such as the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) and thyroglobulin (Tg), are also associated with Graves’ disease.
Modifier genes: Genes that affect how other genes are expressed—known as modifier genes—may also play a role in developing Graves’ disease.
Certain environmental factors trigger the body’s autoimmune response and subsequent attack on the thyroid gland, leading to the overproduction of thyroid hormones. Environmental factors associated with the onset of Graves’ disease include:
There are several risk factors associated with Graves' disease, including:
Summary
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy thyroid tissue, which triggers the thyroid gland to overproduce thyroid hormones.
A combination of genetic and environmental factors contributes to the development of Graves’ disease. Research suggests that a family history of Graves’ disease accounts for 79% of the risk.This means having a family member with Graves’ disease can make you more susceptible to developing the disorder.
Environmental factors account for 21% of the risk.Smoking, vitamin D deficiency, increased iodine intake, exposure to radiation, and viral infections are known to increase a person’s risk of developing Graves’ disease, particularly if they have a genetic predisposition to the disorder.
A Word From Verywell
No matter the cause, Graves’ disease is treatable, and most people with the condition can live full, active lives. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of Graves’ disease or have a family history and are concerned about your risks.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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