Name: Graves' Disease Test Panel
SKU: 67
Price: 135.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Description

Also known as basedow’s disease is an immune system disorder resulting in the overproduction of thyroid hormone.

Rare (Fewer than 200,000 cases per year in US)

Treatment from medical professional advised

Often requires lab test or imaging

Can last several years or be lifelong

More common in females

Family history may increase likelihood

Urgent medical attention recommended in severe cases

Symptoms

The symptoms may vary significantly from person to person. Some of the common symptoms are:

Enlargement of your thyroid gland (goiter)
Sudden weight loss
Mood swings
Heat sensitivity and an increase in perspiration or warm, moist skin
Abnormalities in menstrual cycle
Erectile dysfunction
Frequent bowel movements
Weakness
Change in skin texture and color, especially on top of the feet. (Graves’ dermopathy)
Palpitation, fast heart beat

Symptoms of Grave’s Opthalmopathy include:

Puffy eyes
Pain in the eye
Change in vision
Bulging eyes
Light sensitivity
Redness in eye

Graves’ Disease is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland. It is characterized by hyperthyroidism associated with goiter, heart palpitations, bulging eyes, sweating, heat intolerance, tremor, anxiety and weight loss. The immunological response in Graves’ Disease comprises diffuse lymphocyte infiltration into the thyroid gland with thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) autoantibody production. The hyperthyroidism is caused by activation of the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) by binding of autoantibodies.

Procedures

Thyroidectomy: Thyroid gland may be completely removed.

Therapy

Radioactive Iodine therapy: Radioactive Iodine kills the overactive cells in the gland, thereby reducing the swelling.

Nutrition

Foods to take:

Include dairy products in the diet to get enough calcium
Vitamin D rich foods such as salmon, eggs and mushrooms
Protein sources such as chicken, turkey, beans, and nuts
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon and other fish, olive oil

Foods to avoid:

Avoid caffeine like coffee, soda, tea
Identify if you are allergic to any particular food and eliminate that from your diet

Clinical Utility

The most strongly associated gene implicated in Graves’ disease is HLA-DRB1*03:01. Diagnosis is based on thyroid function tests as well as biochemical and clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism rather than on genetic testing. Genetic testing does however contribute to a better understanding of the origin of the disease for improved diagnosis and treatment.

Scientific References

Bahn RS. Graves’ ophthalmopathy. N Engl J Med. 2010; 362:726.
Ban Y et al. Arginine at position 74 of the HLA-DR beta1 chain is associated with Graves’ disease. Genes Immun. 2004; 5:203.
Chen QY et al. HLA-DRB1*08, DRB1*03/DRB3*0101, and DRB3*0202 are susceptibility genes for Graves’ disease in North American Caucasians, whereas DRB1*07 is protective. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999; 84:3182.
Grubeck-Loebenstein B et al. Retrobulbar T cells from patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy are CD8+ and specifically recognize autologous fibroblasts. J Clin Invest. 1994; 93:2738.
Sekiguchi Y et al. Reverse ‘see-saw’ relationship between Graves’ disease and myasthenia gravis; clinical and immunological studies. J Med Dent Sci. 2005; 52:43.