What Is Graves' Disease All About
This autoimmune disorder causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone, leading to hyperthyroidism.
news.abplive.comGraves’ disease symptoms most often come from hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) and may also include eye and skin involvement. Common signs include weight loss, tremor, heat intolerance/sweating, palpitations (fast/irregular heartbeat), anxiety/irritability, insomnia, goiter (enlarged thyroid), increased hunger, and red/thickened skin on the shins (dermopathy).[1]
Common symptoms to watch
- Thyroid-related (hyperthyroidism): unintended weight loss, heat sensitivity/increased perspiration, hand tremors, nervousness/anxiety/irritability, insomnia, increased hunger, goiter.[1]
- Heart-related: palpitations (rapid or irregular heartbeat).[1]
- Eye-related (Graves ophthalmopathy): bulging or irritated eyes; possible grittiness/pain/pressure, puffy or retracted eyelids, red/inflamed eyes, double vision, light sensitivity, and vision changes.[1]
- Skin-related (Graves dermopathy): thickened, red skin on the shins and/or tops of the feet.[1]
“Latest news” note
Recently, some public figures (e.g., Erin Moriarty and Daisy Ridley) have discussed being diagnosed with Graves’ disease, but those items are personal stories/news, not new medical guidance about symptoms.[2][4]
When to get urgent help
If you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, a very fast heart rate, new confusion, or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek urgent care/emergency services. (These can be complications of uncontrolled hyperthyroidism.)
If you tell me your age and which symptoms you’re noticing (and how long they’ve been happening), I can help you sort what’s most consistent with Graves’ vs other thyroid/thyroid-like conditions and what to ask a clinician to check.