Dr Renee talks about symptoms of hypothyroidism
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Hyperthyroidism has a range of often subtle symptoms that may grow to become more troubling over time. The condition also has several potential causes, and scientists have identified three serial offenders. The most common is Graves’ disease, which affects three of four hyperthyroidism sufferers and comes with a vast range of potential symptoms.
What is Graves’ disease?
Graves’ disease is one of three primary causes behind hyperthyroidism.
The condition develops when the immune system malfunctions and produces a preponderance of thyroid hormones that attack the organ itself.
Symptoms emerge when these thyroid hormones affect the body’s various systems.
Graves’ disease produces a wide range of signs that will vary by person, but doctors have broken down potential symptoms.
These include:
- Weight loss without a change in eating habits
- Tremors in the hands or fingers
- Anxiety and irritability
- Heat sensitivity, warm, moist skin and increased sweating
- Fatigue
- Heart palpitations
- Sleep disturbances
- Reduced sex drive and erectile dysfunction
- Frequent bowel movements
- Menstrual cycle changes
- An enlarged thyroid gland (known as a goitre)
Two alarming hallmark signs of Graves’ disease are known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy and Graves’ dermopathy.
Graves’ ophthalmopathy occurs when inflammation caused by immune system hyperactivity affects the tissue around the eyes.
The result is uncharacteristically bulging eyes and a range of other unpleasant symptoms.
Roughly 30 percent of people with Graves’ disease will develop Graves’ ophthalmopathy.
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Symptoms include:
- Double vision
- Vision loss
- Bulging eyes
- Red or inflamed eyes
- Retracting or puffy eyelids
- Eye pressure
- A gritty sensation in the eyes
- Light sensitivity
Graves disease also presents itself on the skin via Graves’ dermopathy.
Graves’ dermopathy is another hallmark of the disease but an uncommon one.
Those who develop the skin condition will see their skin redden and thicken.
The most commonly affected areas of the body include the shins and the top of the feet.
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