Last Reviewed May 29, 2009
Symptoms & Characteristics
Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. The thyroid gland produces hormones involved in different body activities such as setting the rate at which the body uses energy (called metabolism).
In Graves' disease, a person's thyroid gland overproduces the thyroid hormones T4 and T3 (called hyperthyroidism).
Graves' disease symptoms typically begin after age 20 and may include:
- eye problems including eyeball bulging (called Graves' opthalmopathy)
- rapid or irregular heart beat
- a slight finger or hand tremor
- enlargement of the thyroid gland (called goiter)
- reddening and swelling of skin (called Graves' dermopathy)
In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, chronic inflammation causes an underactive thyroid gland (called hypothyroidism). Hashimoto's thyroiditis symptoms typically begin between the ages of 30 and 50 and may include:
- high blood cholesterol level
- muscle and joint aches, tenderness, weakness or stiffness
Treatment
Treatment for these autoimmune thyroid disorders involves normalizing thyroid hormone levels as well as to relieve symptoms.
If someone notices or experiences any of the signs or symptoms common to autoimmune thyroid disorders, it is important to see a doctor immediately.
For affected women, it is always important to speak with a doctor regarding the appropriate care and management of autoimmune thyroid disorders during pregnancy.
How Common Is It?
About 30 million Americans are affected with thyroid disorders including Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
- More women than men are affected.
Genetics & Inheritance
The causes of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are largely unknown. These thyroid diseases most likely have multifactorial inheritance, which means that they involve a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors.
- Having a separate autoimmune condition or a thyroid tumor, may also contribute to developing Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease.
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis is often found in people with Turner syndrome, Down syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome. In addition to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, these affected individuals also have other mental and physical defects characteristic of these conditions.
It is currently well established that Grave's disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis may also run in families. Researchers believe that there are probably a number of genes that affect the development and symptoms of autoimmune thyroid disorders.
- Current research is examining a number of candidate genes that may influence autoimmune thyroid disorder risk.
- Variations in multiple genes that have been associated with susceptibility to autoimmune thyroid disorders, but no one gene has been strongly associated to either Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis
- Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are small variations in a single "letter" of DNA that can be found throughout our entire genetic make-up. Some researchers have proposed that specific SNPs may influence the risk to develop autoimmune thyroid disorders in some people. Much of this research is considered preliminary and is currently often limited to specific ethnic groups. Further research is needed to replicate study findings across different ethnic groups and clearly establish associations.
- Other yet to be identified or adequately classified genes may also influence disease risk.
Genetic Testing
Clinical genetic testing for susceptibility to Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis is currently unavailable.
For more information on the genetics of autoimmune thyroid disorders, accurate diagnosis, and recurrence risk; use our find a genetic professional directory to locate a trained
genetic professional in your area.
Informational genetic testing for susceptibility to Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis is available online (over the internet) as part of a whole genome scan. Whole genome scanning involves analyzing thousands of SNPs at once related to a number of different health conditions.
- At this point, many genetic professionals do not consider this testing clinically useful or medically relevant, but for informational purposes only. Go to the Tests tab to link to the
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Alternative Names
- Diffuse thyrotoxic goiter
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis
- Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditi
- Autoimmune thyroiditis