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Graves disease - Symptom

Alternative Names

Diffuse thyrotoxic goiter

Symptoms:

  • Anxiety
  • Breast enlargement in men (possible)
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Double vision
  • Eyeballs that stick out (exophthalmos)
  • Eye irritation and tearing
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent bowel movements
  • Goiter (possible)
  • Heat intolerance
  • Increased appetite
  • Increased sweating
  • Insomnia
  • Menstrual irregularities in women
  • Muscle weakness
  • Nervousness
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations or arrhythmia)
  • Restlessness and difficulty sleeping
  • Shortness of breath with exertion
  • Tremor
  • Weight loss (rarely, weight gain)

Signs and tests:

Physical examination shows an increased heart rate. Examination of the neck may show that the thyroid gland is enlarged (goiter).

Other tests include:

This disease may also affect the following test results:

  • Orbit CT scan or ultrasound
  • Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI)
  • Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody
  • Anti-TSH receptor antibody
  • Reviewed last on: 4/20/2010
  • Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

AACE Thyroid Task Force. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists medical guidelines for clinical practice fo rthe evaluation and treatment of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Endocr Pract. 2002;8(6).

Davies TF, Larsen PR. Thyrotoxicosis. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 11.

Ladenson P, Kim M. Thyroid. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 244.

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