DISEASE, GRAVES'

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone), Graves' disease is due to a generalized (diffuse) overactivity (toxic) of the whole enlarged thyroid gland (goiter); it is also commonly known as diffuse toxic goiter. There are three components to Graves' disease: hyperthyroidism, protrusion of the eyes (ophthalmopathy), and skin lesions (dermopathy). Ophthalmopathy can cause sensitivity to light and a feeling of "sand in the eyes." With further protrusion of the eyes, double vision and vision loss may occur. The ophthalmopathy tends to worsen with smoking. Dermopathy of Graves' disease is a rare, painless, reddish lumpy skin rash that occurs on the front of the leg. Graves' disease can run in families. Factors that can trigger Graves' disease include stress, smoking, radiation to the neck, medications (such as interleukin-2 and interferon-alpha), and infectious organisms such as viruses. Graves' disease can be diagnosed by a typical thyroid scan (diffuse increase uptake), the characteristic triad of ophthalmopathy, dermopathy, and hyperthyroidism, or blood testing for TSI (Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin) level which is abnormally high.