Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease, which is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. An autoimmune disease is when the body’s immune system (antibodies) that attack your body, because it does not recognize its own cells. The antibodies stimulate the thyroid gland (the gland at the base of your neck that secretes growth hormones) and causes the thyroid to go into overdrive (hyperthyroidism).

graves disease

Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents. When the disease later in life, it is assumed that the cause is an infection viral or bacterial infection. Signs and symptoms of Graves’ disease depends on whether mild or severe hyperthyroidism.

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