Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsComplicationsWhen to Seek CareNext in Graves’ disease GuideCauses and Risk Factors of Graves’ Disease
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Complications
When to Seek Care
Next in Graves’ disease Guide
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Graves' diseaseis an autoimmune disorder that can causehyperthyroidism(overactive thyroid).Your thyroid secretes hormones that regulate yourmetabolism, which is how your body controls energy. If you have a high thyroid hormone level, many of your body’s functions speed up. Fortunately, there are medications that can help control your thyroid activity and reduce the symptoms of Graves' disease.
This article reviews the common and rare symptoms of Graves' disease, as well as complications that may arise.
Emily Roberts / Verywell
Most of the signs and symptoms of Graves' disease are due to an overactive thyroid. They usually develop gradually over a period of weeks or months.
Some of the most common symptoms are:
Understanding Graves' Disease and Depression
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Less common symptoms of Graves' disease include:
Some other less common symptoms that have been noted in people with Graves' disease include:
Graves' disease can lead to some serious complications if it is not treated, including:
Contact a healthcare provider if you experience any of these complications or some of the more extreme symptoms of Graves' disease.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you have symptoms of Graves' disease, contact a healthcare provider for an examination. It’s important to gettreatmentfor the condition to avoid further complications.
If you have Graves' disease and your symptoms worsen, are not improving with treatment, or your vision changes, call your provider.
When to Seek Emergency CareGo to the emergency room or call 911 if you have Graves' disease and experience:Change in level of consciousnessFeverRapid, irregular heartbeatSudden shortness of breath
When to Seek Emergency Care
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have Graves' disease and experience:Change in level of consciousnessFeverRapid, irregular heartbeatSudden shortness of breath
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have Graves' disease and experience:
What Are the Treatment Options for Graves' Disease?
Summary
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that makes your thyroid gland overactive, putting your body into overdrive. Some common symptoms are rapid heartbeat, sensitivity to heat and increased sweating, eye irritation and bulging eyes, slight tremors in the hands, and irritability. Less frequent signs include red lumps on the shins, brittle nails, hair loss, vomiting, anemia, or jaundice.
If Graves' disease isn’t treated, it can lead to heart problems, thinning bones, and reduced fertility or menstrual changes. If you have Graves' disease and feel like you may lose consciousness, have a very fast and irregular heartbeat, or find yourself short of breath, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
A Word From Verywell
If you are diagnosed with Graves' disease after experiencing symptoms, know that there are effective treatments available to help. People with Graves' disease usually respond well to treatment. Your healthcare provider can refer you to a specialist in hormonal diseases, called anendocrinologist, to aid with treatment measures.
8 SourcesVerywell 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.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.National Organization of Rare Diseases.Graves' disease.American Thyroid Association.Graves' disease.Hegazi MO, Ahmed S.Atypical clinical manifestations of graves’ disease: an analysis in depth.Journal of Thyroid Research. 2012;2012:1-8. doi:10.1155/2012/768019Roh JG, Park KJ, Lee HS, Hwang JS.Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis due to Graves' disease.Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2019;24(2):133-136. doi:10.6065/apem.2019.24.2.133Szczepanek-Parulska E, Hernik A, Ruchała M.Anemia in thyroid diseases.Pol Arch Intern Med. 2017;127(5):352-360. doi:10.20452/pamw.3985Bejinariu E, Banerjee R, Soo SC.Vomiting as harbinger for Graves’ disease.EJEA. 2016. doi:10.1530/endoabs.44.EP99Shetty S, Rajasekaran S, Venkatakrishnan L.Grave’s disease and primary biliary cirrhosis-an unusual and challenging association.J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2014;4(1):66-67. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2013.08.001
8 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.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.National Organization of Rare Diseases.Graves' disease.American Thyroid Association.Graves' disease.Hegazi MO, Ahmed S.Atypical clinical manifestations of graves’ disease: an analysis in depth.Journal of Thyroid Research. 2012;2012:1-8. doi:10.1155/2012/768019Roh JG, Park KJ, Lee HS, Hwang JS.Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis due to Graves' disease.Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2019;24(2):133-136. doi:10.6065/apem.2019.24.2.133Szczepanek-Parulska E, Hernik A, Ruchała M.Anemia in thyroid diseases.Pol Arch Intern Med. 2017;127(5):352-360. doi:10.20452/pamw.3985Bejinariu E, Banerjee R, Soo SC.Vomiting as harbinger for Graves’ disease.EJEA. 2016. doi:10.1530/endoabs.44.EP99Shetty S, Rajasekaran S, Venkatakrishnan L.Grave’s disease and primary biliary cirrhosis-an unusual and challenging association.J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2014;4(1):66-67. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2013.08.001
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.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.National Organization of Rare Diseases.Graves' disease.American Thyroid Association.Graves' disease.Hegazi MO, Ahmed S.Atypical clinical manifestations of graves’ disease: an analysis in depth.Journal of Thyroid Research. 2012;2012:1-8. doi:10.1155/2012/768019Roh JG, Park KJ, Lee HS, Hwang JS.Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis due to Graves' disease.Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2019;24(2):133-136. doi:10.6065/apem.2019.24.2.133Szczepanek-Parulska E, Hernik A, Ruchała M.Anemia in thyroid diseases.Pol Arch Intern Med. 2017;127(5):352-360. doi:10.20452/pamw.3985Bejinariu E, Banerjee R, Soo SC.Vomiting as harbinger for Graves’ disease.EJEA. 2016. doi:10.1530/endoabs.44.EP99Shetty S, Rajasekaran S, Venkatakrishnan L.Grave’s disease and primary biliary cirrhosis-an unusual and challenging association.J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2014;4(1):66-67. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2013.08.001
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.
National Organization of Rare Diseases.Graves' disease.
American Thyroid Association.Graves' disease.
Hegazi MO, Ahmed S.Atypical clinical manifestations of graves’ disease: an analysis in depth.Journal of Thyroid Research. 2012;2012:1-8. doi:10.1155/2012/768019
Roh JG, Park KJ, Lee HS, Hwang JS.Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis due to Graves' disease.Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2019;24(2):133-136. doi:10.6065/apem.2019.24.2.133
Szczepanek-Parulska E, Hernik A, Ruchała M.Anemia in thyroid diseases.Pol Arch Intern Med. 2017;127(5):352-360. doi:10.20452/pamw.3985
Bejinariu E, Banerjee R, Soo SC.Vomiting as harbinger for Graves’ disease.EJEA. 2016. doi:10.1530/endoabs.44.EP99
Shetty S, Rajasekaran S, Venkatakrishnan L.Grave’s disease and primary biliary cirrhosis-an unusual and challenging association.J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2014;4(1):66-67. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2013.08.001
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