Graves' disease history and symptoms

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1],Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]

Overview

Graves' disease may present clinically with one of the following characteristic signs:

goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland, sometimes detectable as a swelling in the neck)
exophthalmos (protuberance of one or both eyes)
A non-pitting edema with thickening of the skin, described as "peau d'orange" or "orange peel", usually found on the lower extremities
Fatigue, weight loss with increased appetite, and other symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Some of the most typical symptoms of Graves' Disease are the following:

Palpitations
Tachycardia (rapid heart rate: 100-120 beats per minute, or higher)
Arrhythmia (irregular heart beat)
Raised blood pressure (Hypertension)
Tremor (usually fine shaking eg. hands)
Excessive sweating
Heat intolerance
Increased appetite
Unexplained weight loss despite increased appetite
Shortness of breath
Muscle weakness (especially in the large muscles of the arms and legs) and degeneration
Diminished/Changed sex drive
Insomnia (inability to get enough sleep)
Increased energy
Fatigue
Mental impairment, memory lapses, diminished attention span
Decreased concentration
Nervousness, agitation
Irritability
Restlessness
Erratic behavior
Emotional lability
Brittle nails
Abnormal breast enlargement (men)
Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
Protruding eyeballs (Graves' disease only)
Double vision
Eye pain, irritation, or the feeling of grit or sand in the eyes
Swelling or redness of eyes or eyelids/eyelid retraction
Sensitivity to light
Decrease in menstrual periods (oligomenorrhea), Irregular and scant menstrual flow (Amenorrhea)
Difficulty conceiving/infertility/recurrent miscarriage
Hair loss
Itchy skin, hives
Chronic sinus infections
Lumpy, reddish skin of the lower legs (pretibial myxedema)
Smooth, velvety skin
Increased bowel movements or Diarrhea