Feeling extremely nervous or anxious?
Have you noticed that you sweat a lot?
Suffering from extreme tiredness or fatigue and have also noticed that your heartbeat is rapid or irregular?
Do you have hand tremors and unexplained weight loss even though you’re eating everything in sight?
Are you dealing with frequent bowel movements or diarrhea?
These are all common signs of Graves’ disease, though they can also be symptoms of other illnesses.
Other symptoms of Graves’ disease include menstrual issues, such as a very light menstrual flow and infrequent periods. In some cases, people with Graves have an enlarged thyroid (a goiter) or bulging eyes.
It is estimated that between 3 and 10 million people are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism – also known as an overactive thyroid. In fact, the most common form of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease which mostly affects women, who are seven times more susceptible than men.
Your thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck, is responsible for a wide variety of functions throughout your body including regulating body temperature, heart rate, growth, energy production, and brain health.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone – but the “autoimmune version”, Graves’ disease, causes patients to develop antibodies triggering receptors on the thyroid gland to continuously stimulate thyroid hormone production.
Both hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease speed up metabolism, which might sound helpful – however, this extreme acceleration causes your body to use up nutrients too quickly, causing malnutrition.
Hyperthyroidism can cause other serious health issues affecting the heart, bones, muscles, menstrual cycle, and fertility.
Between 25 - 50% of people with Graves' disease have Graves' ophthalmopathy – eye abnormalities that include characteristic bulging eyes. Swelling, inflammation, redness, gritty sensation in the eyes, dryness, and puffy eyelids are also symptoms.
Some people develop bulging of the eyes caused by inflammation and retraction of the eyelids. In some rare cases, more serious eye issues may present such as pain and double vision.
In addition, some people suffer from rare skin symptoms such as red, itchy skin (particularly on shins or tops of the feet), as well as sensitivity to heat.
Graves’ is typically diagnosed by several tests, starting with blood testing to check the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) as well as free T4 and free T3 levels. Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) is another way to detect thyroid imbalances because high iodine uptake is common with Graves’ disease.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned or are concerned that you may be at risk for Graves’, schedule a free discovery consult to explore whether partnering with Vitality Family Health is the best next step.
Please get urgent help right away for warning signs of a thyroid storm: very high fever, a racing/irregular heartbeat, severe agitation or confusion, heavy sweating, diarrhea, or sudden weakness. This is a medical emergency. Severe or fast-changing eye symptoms (eye pain, vision changes, double vision) also need prompt care. If you’re pregnant or nursing and have hyperthyroidism, tell your clinician immediately—some treatments (like radioactive iodine) are not safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. We’ll review safer options and go over specific tests and treatments during your discovery consult.
Hyperthyroidism means the thyroid is making too much hormone. Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism—it’s an autoimmune condition that tells the thyroid to stay “stuck on high.”
Feeling on edge, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, heat intolerance and sweating, tremor, weight loss despite eating more, frequent stools, light or infrequent periods, and sometimes eye changes (gritty, red, bulging). Not everyone has all symptoms.
We confirm with blood tests (TSH, free T4, free T3) and often antibody testing or a radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) scan to confirm the cause. Don’t take high-dose biotin right before labs—it can skew results.
Three evidence-based paths: antithyroid medicine (usually methimazole; PTU in select cases), radioactive iodine (not in pregnancy/breastfeeding), or surgery. Beta-blockers may help calm palpitations and tremor while thyroid levels come down. We personalize the plan.
Smoking raises the risk and severity of thyroid eye disease. Radioiodine can sometimes worsen eye disease; steroid protection and careful selection help. We address modifiable risks (especially smoking)
Some patients achieve remission on medicines; others need definitive therapy (radioiodine or surgery). Long-term follow-up matters, and most people do very well with the right care.
Yes—after your first in-person visit at Vitality Family Health in Oak Brook, Illinois.
We review your goals and history and outline smart first steps. We can go over specific tests, treatments, and services as part of that consult.
You may also want to read about Thyroid Imbalances, Hashimoto's Disease, Chronic Stress & Anxiety, Chronic Inflammation, and Functional Medicine, since these topics often overlap with thyroid autoimmunity and day-to-day recovery.
Medically Reviewed By: Dr Kori Feldman, M.D.
Vitality Family Health & Wellness Partners is located in Oak Brook, Illinois, and serves patients throughout the Greater Chicagoland Area and the entire state of Illinois. These areas include but are not limited to the downtown Chicago area, surrounding suburbs, central, northern, and southern Illinois, and southern Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana.