Graves' Disease

Book excerpt: Graves' Disease, a common form of hyperthyroidism characterized by a goiter and often a slight protrusion of the eyeballs, currently affects approximately 200 million people worldwide, three million in the United States alone. This work addresses both typical and special concerns of patients with Graves' Disease, discusses its association with related autoimmune disorders, and emphasizes the patient's role in the healing process. Included are chapters with basic information on the disease, the thyroid and its hormones, Graves' ophthalmopathy, dermopathy, and acropachy, the diagnosis of GD, autoantibodies and autoimmune diseases associated with it, genetic and nongenetic influences, allopathic treatments, alternative medicine, special considerations in pregnant women, children, and teens, hyperthyroidism associated with GD, anecdotes and testimony of patients, and resources for further information. A list of medical acronyms and a glossary of medical terms is included.