2. Graves’ Disease
Graves disease describes an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland. This disorder creates too much thyroid hormone in the body, resulting in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Graves disease is one of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism, and it’s the first thing doctors will look at when making a diagnosis for the condition.
With Graves disease, your immune system signals for the creation of antibodies, also known as thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins. The antibodies attach to healthy thyroid cells, causing the gland to produce too much thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is essential for regulating metabolism, as well as controlling nervous system function, body temperature, brain development, and many other vital processes.
Should the patient remain, untreated hyperthyroidism causes rapid swings in mood, sleep disorders, as well as substantial weight loss, fatigue, anxiety disorders, and depression. Patients require treatment with hormones prescribed by their doctor to balance thyroid output. The doctor monitors the treatment by analyzing bloodwork to determine thyroid hormone levels in the patient.