Home Health Center Graves Disease   Graves Disease - Symptoms

Symptoms of Graves Disease

 The symptoms of Graves disease may vary from person to person depending on several factors. Some of the common signs and symptoms of Graves disease include:

• Hyperthyroidism: Most of the symptoms of Graves disease are the result of hyperthyroidism. Therefore, if a person is already suffering from hyperthyroidism and shows other related symptoms, it is always advisable to be checked for Graves disease.
• Eye Problems: Graves disease often causes an inflammation of the eyes and the tissues around the eyes. Most sufferers of Graves disease experience some degree of redness and eye irritation but very rarely does this cause a permanent problem. In the case of Graves disease, eye related symptoms usually start 6 months before or after the diagnosis of the disease. Bulging eyes, double vision, and diminished vision are all classic symptoms of Graves disease.
• Skin Disease: Although rare, some people with Graves disease may develop reddish lumpy patches of thick skin in front of the shins, a condition called pretibial myxedema. This condition may or may not be painful depending on a case-to-case basis.
• Anxiety: Graves disease not only affects the body’s immunity but also its metabolic functioning. Imbalances in the metabolism can cause symptoms like anxiety and irregular heartbeats. In severe cases of Graves disease; an individual may even experience anxiety attacks from time to time.
• Sleep Problems: Restless sleep, sleeplessness, and inability to sleep are common symptoms among people suffering from Graves disease. Many people with Graves disease experience palpitations, which further affects their sleep patterns.
• Protruding Eyeballs: Bulging or protruding eyes is one of the well-known symptoms of Graves disease and hyperthyroidism. However, these symptoms may not be noticed immediately as eye changes tend to develop slowly.
• Frequent Bowels: Frequent bowl movements and diarrhea are also indicators of Graves disease. This disease affects an individual metabolism and increases the motility in the gut resulting in an increase in the frequency of bowel movements.
• Weight Loss: Metabolism increases with hyperthyroidism and therefore people with an untreated Graves disease often tend to lose weight unintentionally in spite of an increased food intake and appetite.
• Male Breast Enlargement: Men suffering from Graves disease often experience an unusually enlargement of breasts due to the hormonal imbalances in the body. This condition is also known as gynecomastia. This symptom however is reversible with the right drugs to regulate thyroxin levels in the body.
• Menstrual Irregularities: Women on the other hand experience symptoms like irregular and erratic menstrual periods because of the overproduction of the thyroid hormone. Related symptoms like mood swings and irritability are also common among women with Graves disease.