Graves disease

Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies activate thyroid-stimulating hormone receptors, often causing an overactive thyroid and elevated thyroid hormone levels.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor: A cell-surface receptor on thyroid cells that responds to thyroid-stimulating hormone by promoting thyroid growth and hormone production. Graves antibodies bind and activate this receptor, mimicking the hormone that normally controls it.
Thyroid function tests: Blood tests that measure thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroid hormones to assess thyroid function. Graves disease typically produces low TSH with elevated free thyroxine or triiodothyronine.
Graves ophthalmopathy: An autoimmune inflammatory disorder of tissues around the eyes associated with Graves disease. It can cause bulging eyes, discomfort, double vision, or impaired vision.
Hashimoto thyroiditis: An autoimmune thyroid disease that commonly damages the gland and eventually causes hypothyroidism. It is a common autoimmune counterpart, with gland destruction rather than receptor stimulation as the usual pattern.
Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin: An antibody that activates the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor. This antibody is the direct driver of thyroid overactivity in Graves disease.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody: A blood test that detects antibodies directed against the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor. A positive result can help distinguish Graves disease from other causes of thyrotoxicosis.
Thyroid eye disease: An inflammatory orbital disorder associated with autoimmune thyroid disease, especially Graves disease. It describes the broader eye condition that may occur with or without active hyperthyroidism.
Toxic multinodular goiter: An enlarged thyroid containing multiple nodules that produce excessive thyroid hormones independently of normal control. Unlike Graves disease, its hormone excess arises from autonomous nodules rather than stimulating antibodies.
Hyperthyroidism: A condition in which the thyroid gland produces or releases excessive thyroid hormones. Persistent receptor stimulation commonly produces this hormonal state.
Radioactive iodine uptake test: An imaging test that measures how much radioactive iodine the thyroid gland takes up over time. Diffuse, increased uptake supports Graves disease when the cause of thyrotoxicosis is uncertain.

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