Grave's Disease Essay
Genetic defects are also attributed to the abnormal thyroid growth however, the most common cause of goiters is due to iodine deficiency and cases are more common in developing countries due to the lack of iodine in diets. Iodine is extremely important in thyroid function because it is used in thyroid hormone production. Goiters are more closely associated with Hashimoto’s disease since TSH stimulation causes the thyroid to grow. In some cases, goiters can be associated with hyperthyroidism, such as Grave’s Disease depending on thyroid hormone levels (American Thyroid Association).
Aside from iodine deficiency, other environmental affects have been associated with the cause and growth of goiters. Such factors include naturally occurring …show more content…
Grave’s Disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism and is also an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid and is triggered by bacteria and viruses. Much like Hashimoto’s disease, the thyroid is perceived as a ‘foreign’ antigen and the body produces lymphocytes that attack the thyroid (American Thyroid Association). An antibody called thyroid-stimulation immunoglobulin (TSI) is created by the immune system and attaches to thyroid cells. TSI then mimics TSH, the hormone that tells the thyroid to produce more hormones. The thyroid then overproduces T3 and T4 (AACE). In such attack a goiter can be …show more content…
Bacterial and viral infections cause an autoimmune response that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid. Other influences can include stress, gluten, perchlorates, which are found in rocket fuel, thiocynanates, found in cigarettes and dioxins or a pesticide. All of these factors have been found to trigger an autoimmune response (Mamula). At the same time aversion to such influences and others including drugs, cigarettes, stress, selenium deficiency and contaminated well water can reduce symptoms and help treat the disease (Mamula).
Symptoms of Grave’s Disease are those typical of hyperthyroidism, such as anxiety, irritability, fatigue, hand tremors, increased/irregular heartbeat, excessive sweating, difficulty sleeping, diarrhea, enlarged thyroid, bulging eyes and vision problems. All symptoms are due to the excess amount of thyroid hormone, which then causes the metabolism to overwork. Alternatively, type 1 Diabetes can occur when T cells target cells and tissues and destroy insulin-producing cells in the pancreas
Aside from iodine deficiency, other environmental affects have been associated with the cause and growth of goiters. Such factors include naturally occurring …show more content…
Grave’s Disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism and is also an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid and is triggered by bacteria and viruses. Much like Hashimoto’s disease, the thyroid is perceived as a ‘foreign’ antigen and the body produces lymphocytes that attack the thyroid (American Thyroid Association). An antibody called thyroid-stimulation immunoglobulin (TSI) is created by the immune system and attaches to thyroid cells. TSI then mimics TSH, the hormone that tells the thyroid to produce more hormones. The thyroid then overproduces T3 and T4 (AACE). In such attack a goiter can be …show more content…
Bacterial and viral infections cause an autoimmune response that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid. Other influences can include stress, gluten, perchlorates, which are found in rocket fuel, thiocynanates, found in cigarettes and dioxins or a pesticide. All of these factors have been found to trigger an autoimmune response (Mamula). At the same time aversion to such influences and others including drugs, cigarettes, stress, selenium deficiency and contaminated well water can reduce symptoms and help treat the disease (Mamula).
Symptoms of Grave’s Disease are those typical of hyperthyroidism, such as anxiety, irritability, fatigue, hand tremors, increased/irregular heartbeat, excessive sweating, difficulty sleeping, diarrhea, enlarged thyroid, bulging eyes and vision problems. All symptoms are due to the excess amount of thyroid hormone, which then causes the metabolism to overwork. Alternatively, type 1 Diabetes can occur when T cells target cells and tissues and destroy insulin-producing cells in the pancreas