Symptoms of Graves Disease
Symptoms of Graves Disease
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources
for Graves Disease includes the 60
symptoms listed below:
- No symptoms - it is possible to show no side effects of the disease
- Increased energy expenditure
- Weight loss
- Increased appetite
- Rapid heart rate
- Palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Tremors
- Nervousness
- Sweating
- Hyperactive
- Breathlessness
- Warm skin
- Frequent bowel movements
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Heat sensitivity
- Brittle hair
- Thinning hair
- Muscular weakness
- Weak leg muscles
- Lighter menstrual flow
- High thyroid hormone level
- Goiter
- Lump on front of neck
- Protruding eyes
- Eye changes
- Shin rash (pretibial myxedema) - thickened reddish skin on the shins
- Swollen shins and knees
- Hyperthyroidism
- Conjunctival edema
- Paralysis of eye muscles
- Double vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Redness over pretibial area
- Itchy swelling over pretibial area
- Hyperactivity
- Tachycardia
- Non-pitting edema of the lower extremities
- Enlarged thyroid gland
- Increased level of T3 hormone
- Increased level of T4 hormone
- Low levels of thyroid stimulating hormone
- General - Fatigue, general weakness
- Ophthalmopathy is a hallmark of Graves's disease
- Warm, moist, fine skin; sweating; fine hair; onycholysis; vitiligo; alopecia; pretibial myxedema
- Tremors, proximal muscle weakness, easy fatigabilitySkeletal - Back pain, loss of stamina, history of fractures
- Palpitations, dyspnea on exertion, chest pain, edema
- Dyspnea
- Increased bowel motility, hyperdefecation with or without diarrhea
- Tearing, gritty sensation in the eye, photophobia, eye pain, protruding eye, diplopia, visual loss
- Polyuria, polydipsia
- Easy bruising
- Heat intolerance,weight loss despite increase or similar appetite, worsening diabetes control
- Irregular menstrual periods, decreased menstrual volume, gynecomastia, impotence
- Restlessness, anxiety, irritability, insomnia
- more information...»
Research symptoms & diagnosis of Graves Disease:
Graves Disease: Complications
Review medical complications possibly associated with Graves Disease:
Graves Disease Symptoms: Book Excerpts
Diagnostic Testing
Diagnostic testing of medical conditions related to Graves Disease:
Research More About Graves Disease
Do I have Graves Disease?
Graves Disease: Medical Mistakes
Graves Disease: Undiagnosed Conditions
Diseases that may be commonly undiagnosed in related medical areas:
Home Diagnostic Testing
Home medical tests related to Graves Disease:
- Thyroid: Home Testing:
- Menopause: Related Home Testing:
- Vaginal Health: Home Testing:
- Adrenal Gland Health: Home Testing:
- Breast Cancer: Related Home Tests:
- more home tests...»
Less Common Symptoms of Graves Disease:
Ocassionally other symptoms may also present themselves as symptoms of Graves Disease.
3
of the more common ones are included in the list below:
Wrongly Diagnosed with Graves Disease?
The list of other diseases or medical conditions
that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses
for Graves Disease includes:
See the full list of 23
alternative diagnoses for Graves Disease
Graves Disease: Research Doctors & Specialists
- Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists:
- Pregnancy & Fertility Health Specialists:
- Womens Health Specialists:
- Immune-Related Disease Specialists (Immunology):
- more specialists...»
Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.
More about symptoms of Graves Disease:
More information about symptoms of Graves Disease and related conditions:
Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms
Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list
of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions,
or drug side effect causes of that symptom.
Medical Books Online about Graves Disease
Medical Books Excerpts
Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to Graves Disease
are available from published medical books
for more detailed information about Graves Disease.
Medical Books Excerpts
- Goiter
- "The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult" (2008)
- [ read ]
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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Patient Surveys for Graves Disease
Symptoms of Graves Disease: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the symptoms of Graves Disease.
Exophthalmos:
Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
The obvious effect is a bulging eyeball, commonly with diplopia, if extraocular muscle edema causes misalignment. (See Recognizing exophthalmos.) A rim of the sclera may be visible below the upper lid as lid retraction occurs, and the patient may blink infrequently. Other symptoms depend on the cause: pain may accompany traumatic exophthalmos; a tumor may produce conjunctival hyperemia or chemosis; retraction of the upper lid predisposes to exposure keratitis. If exophthalmos is associated with cavernous sinus thrombosis, the patient may exhibit paresis of the muscles supplied by cranial nerves III, IV, and VI; limited ocular movement; and a septic-type (high) fever.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Simple goiter:
Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Thyroid enlargement may range from a mildly enlarged gland to a massive, multinodular goiter. (See Massive goiter, page 840.) Because simple goiter doesn’t alter the patient’s metabolic state, clinical features arise solely from enlargement of the thyroid gland. The patient may complain of respiratory distress and dysphagia from compression of the trachea and esophagus, and swelling and distention of the neck. In addition, large goiters may obstruct venous return, produce venous engorgement and, in rare cases, induce development of collateral venous circulation in the chest. Obstruction may cause dizziness or syncope (Pemberton’s sign) when the patient raises her arms above her head.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Hyperthyroidism:
Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
The classic features of hyperthyroidism are an enlarged thyroid (goiter), nervousness, heat intolerance, weight loss despite increased appetite, sweating, diarrhea, tremor, and palpitations. Exophthalmos is considered most characteristic but is absent in many patients with hyperthyroidism. Many other symptoms are common because hyperthyroidism profoundly affects virtually every body system:
❑ Central nervous system: difficulty in concentrating because increased T4 secretion accelerates cerebral function; excitability or nervousness due to increased basal metabolic rate; fine tremor, shaky handwriting, and clumsiness from increased activity in the spinal cord area that controls muscle tone; emotional instability and mood swings, ranging from occasional outbursts to overt psychosis
❑ Skin, hair, and nails: smooth, warm, flushed skin (patient sleeps with minimal covers and little clothing); fine, soft hair; premature graying and increased hair loss in both sexes; friable nails and onycholysis (distal nail separated from the bed); pretibial myxedema (dermopathy), producing thickened skin, accentuated hair follicles, raised red patches of skin that are itchy and sometimes painful, with occasional nodule formation (Microscopic examination shows increased mucin deposits.)
❑ Cardiovascular system: tachycardia; full, bounding pulse; wide pulse pressure; cardiomegaly; increased cardiac output and blood volume; visible point of maximal impulse; paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation (especially in the elderly); and occasionally, systolic murmur at the left sternal border
❑ Respiratory system: dyspnea on exertion and at rest, possibly from cardiac decompensation and increased cellular oxygen utilization
❑ GI system: possible anorexia; nausea and vomiting due to increased GI mobility and peristalsis; increased defecation; soft stools or, with severe disease, diarrhea; and liver enlargement
❑ Musculoskeletal system: weakness, fatigue, and muscle atrophy; rare coexistence with myasthenia gravis; generalized or localized paralysis associated with hypokalemia may occur; and occasional acropachy — soft-tissue swelling, accompanied by underlying bone changes where new bone formation occurs
❑ Reproductive system: in females, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, decreased fertility, higher incidence of spontaneous abortions; in males, gynecomastia due to increased estrogen levels; in both sexes, diminished libido
❑ Eyes: exophthalmos (from the combined effects of accumulation of mucopolysaccharides and fluids in the retro-orbital tissues that force the eyeball outward, and of lid retraction that produces the characteristic staring gaze); occasional inflammation of conjunctivae, corneas, or eye muscles; diplopia; and increased tearing.
Alert When hyperthyroidism escalates to thyroid storm, these symptoms can be accompanied by extreme irritability, hypertension, tachycardia, vomiting, temperature up to 106° F (41.1° C), delirium, and coma.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Thyrotoxicosis:
Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)
The classic features of Graves’ disease are an enlarged thyroid (goiter), nervousness, heat intolerance, weight loss despite increased appetite, sweating, frequent bowel movements, tremor, and palpitations. Exophthalmos is considered most characteristic but is absent in many patients with thyrotoxicosis.
Many other signs and symptoms are common because thyrotoxicosis profoundly affects virtually every body system:
❑ Central nervous system: difficulty in concentrating because increased thyroxine secretion accelerates cerebral function; excitability or nervousness due to increased basal metabolic rate; fine tremor, shaky handwriting, and clumsiness from increased activity in the spinal cord area that controls muscle tone; emotional instability and mood swings, ranging from occasional outbursts to overt psychosis
❑ Skin, hair, and nails: smooth, warm, flushed skin (patient sleeps with minimal covers and little clothing); fine, soft hair; premature graying and increased hair loss in both sexes; friable nails and onycholysis (distal nail separated from the bed); pretibial myxedema (dermopathy), producing thickened skin; and accentuated hair follicles, raised red patches of skin that are itchy and sometimes painful, with occasional nodule formation. Microscopic examination shows increased mucin deposits.
❑ Cardiovascular system: tachycardia; full, bounding pulse; wide pulse pressure; cardiomegaly; increased cardiac output and blood volume; visible point of maximal impulse; paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation (especially in elderly people); and, occasionally, a systolic murmur at the left sternal border
❑ Respiratory system: dyspnea on exertion and at rest, possibly from cardiac decompensation and increased cellular oxygen utilization
❑ GI system: excessive oral intake with weight loss; nausea and vomiting due to increased GI motility and peristalsis; increased defecation; soft stools or, with severe disease, diarrhea; and liver enlargement
❑ Musculoskeletal system: weakness (especially in proximal muscles), fatigue, and muscle atrophy; rare coexistence with myasthenia gravis; possibly generalized or localized paralysis associated with hypokalemia; and occasional acropachy (soft-tissue swelling, accompanied by underlying bone changes where new bone formation occurs)
❑ Reproductive system: in females, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, decreased fertility, higher incidence of spontaneous abortions; in males, gynecomastia due to increased estrogen levels; in both sexes, diminished libido
❑ Eyes: exophthalmos (produced by the combined effects of accumulation of mucopolysaccharides and fluids in the retroorbital tissues that force the eyeball outward, and of lid retraction that produces the characteristic staring gaze); occasional inflammation of conjunctivae, corneas, or eye muscles; diplopia; and increased tearing.
When thyrotoxicosis escalates to thyroid storm, these symptoms can be accompanied by extreme irritability, hypertension, tachycardia, vomiting, temperature up to 106° F (41.1° C), delirium, and coma.
Clinical tip Consider apathetic thyrotoxicosis in elderly patients who exhibit atrial fibrillation or depression.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Goiter:
Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)
Thyroid enlargement may range from a mildly enlarged gland to a massive, multinodular goiter. Because simple goiter doesn’t alter the patient’s metabolic state, clinical features arise solely from enlargement of the thyroid gland.
The patient may complain of respiratory distress and dysphagia from compression of the trachea and esophagus and from swelling and distention of the neck.
In addition, large goiters may obstruct venous return, produce venous engorgement and, in rare cases, induce development of collateral venous circulation in the chest. Such obstruction may cause dizziness or syncope when the patient raises his arms above his head.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Article Excerpts About Symptoms of Graves Disease:
Endocrine Diseases: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Weight loss due to increased energy expenditure; increased
appetite, heart rate, and blood pressure; tremors, nervousness and
sweating; frequent bowel movements.
(Source: excerpt from Endocrine Diseases: NWHIC)
Graves' Disease: NWHIC (Excerpt)
The most common symptoms of Grave’s Disease, or thyroid
over-stimulation include insomnia, irritability, weight loss without
dieting, heat sensitivity, increased perspiration, fine or brittle hair,
muscular weakness, eye changes, lighter menstrual flow, rapid heart beat,
and hand tremors. Grave’s Disease is the only kind of hyperthyroidism that
is associated with inflammation of the eyes, swelling of the tissue around
the eyes, and protrusion, or bulging, of the eyes. Some patients will
develop lumpy reddish thickening of the skin in front of the shins called
pretibial myxedema. This skin condition is usually painless. The symptoms
of this disease can occur gradually or very suddenly and are sometimes
confused with other medical problems. Women can have Grave’s Disease and
have no obvious symptoms at all. (Source: excerpt from Graves' Disease: NWHIC)
Graves Disease as a Cause of Symptoms or Medical Conditions
When considering symptoms of Graves Disease, it is also important to consider Graves Disease as a possible cause of other medical conditions.
The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Graves Disease may cause:
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Graves Disease as a symptom:
For a more detailed analysis of Graves Disease as a symptom, including causes, drug side effect causes, and drug interaction causes, please see our Symptom Center information for Graves Disease.
Graves Disease: Onset and Incubation
Onset of Graves Disease: Graves's disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Incidence in women reports a rate of 80 cases per 100,000 women per year.
Medical articles and books on symptoms:
These general reference articles may be of interest
in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
About signs and symptoms of Graves Disease:
The symptom information on this page
attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Graves Disease.
This signs and symptoms information for Graves Disease has been gathered from various sources,
may not be fully accurate,
and may not be the full list of Graves Disease signs or Graves Disease symptoms.
Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Graves Disease may vary on an individual basis for each patient.
Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they
are indeed Graves Disease symptoms.
While training for the Olympic games, track star Gail Devers began to suffer from a number of mysterious symptoms: weight loss, dry skin and fatigue....
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Hyperthyroidism is a serious hormonal imbalance that can lead to weight loss, anxiety, diarrhea and other symptoms. Treatments are available, and in...
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See full list of 4 related videos
» Next page: Diagnostic Tests for Graves Disease
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