Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that results in overproduction of thyroid hormones, leading to hyperthyroidism. Common symptoms include weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and irritability. Treatment options include medications to regulate thyroid function, treatment with radioactive iodine, or surgery to remove the thyroid gland. The assessment of the Polygenic Risk Score for Graves' disease is based on examining 22 gene polymorphisms.
Genetic testing for Graves' disease is included along with 12 other diseases in the Genetic Screening for Immune Diseases, Polygenic Risk Score, as well as in the Genetic Screening for Endocrine and Genitourinary Diseases, Polygenic Risk Score, along with 13 other diseases.
Causes and non-genetic risk factors
Graves' disease affects women more often than men. The disorder usually develops during middle age, with a peak incidence from 40 to 60, but it can also affect children, adolescents, and the elderly. In addition, apart from family history, the following factors have been described that may increase the risk:
- Suffering from other autoimmune disorders
- Physical or emotional stress
- Pregnancy or labor
- Smoking. In addition, smokers with Graves' disease are also at increased risk for Graves' eye disease
Symptoms
The onset of symptoms associated with Graves' disease is usually gradual, usually taking several weeks or months to develop. The following are the symptoms most frequently associated with this condition:
- Anxiety and irritability
- A slight tremor in the hands or fingers
- Sensitivity to heat and increased sweating or hot, clammy skin
- Weight loss, despite regular eating habits
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter)
- Changes in menstrual cycles
- Erectile dysfunction or decreased libido
- Frequent bowel movements
- Graves' ophthalmopathy is inflammation of the tissues surrounding the eye that may cause the eye to bulge out of its socket
- Fatigue
- Pretibial or myxedema dermopathy is a thickening of the skin with a reddish appearance on the front of the shins and rarely on the feet
- Cardiac palpitations
- Sleep disturbances
Prevention
Graves' disease can only be prevented to a limited extent since this disorder has an origin over which we have no influence. Some of these recommendations include avoiding or reducing stressful situations as much as possible, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and following a balanced diet with regular physical exercise.
