Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition that brings its challenges. But the good news is, there are effective treatments to help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. So, what is the best treatment for Graves’ disease?
At PrimeHealth, our team of functional medicine providers in Denver, Colorado is here to help. We focus on identifying root causes and providing care designed specifically for your needs. With our support, you’ll have the tools and guidance to manage Graves’ disease and regain your health.
What Is Graves’ Disease?
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system mistakenly creates antibodies called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSIs).
These antibodies act like thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is normally made by the pituitary gland to control the thyroid. TSIs bind to TSH receptors on thyroid cells and overstimulate the gland, causing it to produce too many thyroid hormones.
This overstimulation leads to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, a condition known as hyperthyroidism. In fact, one of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, affecting about 1 in 100 people in the U.S., according to the NIDDK.
How is Graves’ Disease Diagnosed?
Graves’ disease is usually diagnosed by a primary care doctor or an endocrinologist using several methods. Here’s how it works:
Medical and Family History
A patient’s medical history accounts for about 70- 90% of the diagnostic process, making it a critical tool for understanding thyroid health.
When evaluating conditions like hyperthyroidism, providers look at specific factors in your medical history to piece together the puzzle. Here’s what they’re checking for and why it matters:
Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, converting food into energy for the body. When too much is produced, it speeds up metabolism, affecting various bodily functions.
Common symptoms include:
- Weight loss despite increased appetite.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations).
- Nervousness or anxiety.
- Tremors, especially in the hands.
- Heat sensitivity and excessive sweating.
- Fatigue and muscle weakness.
Also, Graves’ disease is a condition that can affect anyone, but certain factors make some people more likely to develop it. These factors can be identified in a medical history and can include:
- Gender and Age: Women are four times more likely than men to develop Graves’ disease, with the risk increasing to seven times during pregnancy and postpartum. Most cases are diagnosed in people aged 20 to 50. Hormonal and immune system differences in women may help explain why.
- Family History: Having a family history of thyroid or autoimmune conditions increases your risk. Genetics plays a big role. Studies show a 6.1% risk in first-degree relatives. These factors can affect how your immune system works, making some people more prone to these conditions.
- Stress: High levels of stress can weaken the immune system and trigger autoimmune responses, which can lead to Graves’ disease.
- Smoking: Smoking affects the immune system and can worsen thyroid problems, especially the eye-related symptoms of Graves’ disease.
- Past Thyroid Issues: Conditions like goiter or hypothyroidism offer hints about recurring or worsening thyroid health.
- Radiation or Medications: Past radiation exposure or the use of medications like lithium or amiodarone can directly affect thyroid function.
Physical Exam
A physical examination is often the next step a provider takes to diagnose certain conditions. It involves checking your body for visible or physical signs of illness and can include looking, listening, and feeling for anything unusual.
For Graves’ disease, the doctor is on the lookout for specific signs that suggest the condition.
- Goiter (enlarged thyroid) – The thyroid gland, located in your neck, can become swollen in Graves’ disease due to overactivity. This is often one of the most noticeable signs.
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) – An overactive thyroid can make your heart beat faster than normal, even when you’re at rest.
- Tremors – Shaky hands or fingers can indicate that your body’s systems are in overdrive, a classic symptom of hyperthyroidism caused by Graves’ disease.
- Bulging eyes (exophthalmos) – In some cases, Graves’ disease can cause the tissues around the eyes to swell, giving a “bulging” appearance. This is a key feature of Graves’ ophthalmopathy.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are also an important step for evaluating thyroid function because they provide a clear picture of how the thyroid gland is behaving.
These tests measure the levels of key thyroid hormones in your bloodstream, including:
Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Produced by the pituitary gland, TSH acts as a messenger, signaling your thyroid to release hormones. In Graves’ disease, TSH levels are usually low because the thyroid is already overactive and doesn’t need additional stimulation.
Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4)
These hormones, produced by the thyroid, regulate metabolism and energy. In Graves’ disease, levels of T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) are typically high, which explains symptoms like rapid heartbeat, weight loss, and nervousness.
Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulins
Also, providers might order tests to detect Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulins (TSIs). These are antibodies that act directly on the thyroid, causing it to overproduce hormones. Their presence confirms that Graves’ disease is autoimmune.
Imaging
When more information is needed about thyroid function and structure, imaging tests can offer valuable insights.
One commonly used test is the Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test, which measures how well the thyroid is working.
Here’s how it works.
Since the thyroid uses iodine to produce hormones, the test involves swallowing a small, safe dose of radioactive iodine. Over time, the thyroid absorbs the iodine, and a special scanner measures how much has been taken up by the gland.
This test is great for spotting conditions like Graves’ disease, where the thyroid is overactive and absorbs iodine much faster than normal, a clear sign of hyperthyroidism.
It also helps rule out other causes, like thyroid nodules. Unlike Graves’ disease, which affects the entire thyroid, nodules are isolated growths that may need different treatments.
In some cases, providers may also combine the uptake test with a thyroid scan, which provides detailed images of the gland.
These images reveal its shape, size, and any irregularities, such as nodules or uneven activity, offering a more comprehensive view of the thyroid’s health.
Different Treatment Options for Graves’ Disease
If you’re looking into treatment for Graves’ disease, it’s worth exploring both alternative and conventional medicine. Each has its own benefits and can be customized to fit your needs.
For these reasons, learning about your options can help you make the best choices for your health.
Conventional Treatments for Graves’ Disease
These focus on directly reducing thyroid hormone levels and include:
Antithyroid Medications (ATDs)
Medications like methimazole lower thyroid hormone levels but may cause side effects like rashes or, rarely, low white blood cell counts. Relapse is also common after stopping them.
Radioactive Iodine Therapy (RAI)
For a more permanent solution, radioactive iodine therapy (RAI) uses iodine-131 to destroy overactive thyroid tissue. It’s highly effective, though it often leads to hypothyroidism, requiring lifelong hormone replacement.
Thyroidectomy (Surgery)
Surgery, or thyroidectomy, is another option, especially for those with large goiters or severe eye disease. However, it carries some risks, such as nerve damage or calcium imbalances if the parathyroid glands are harmed.
Alternative Treatments for Graves’ Disease
Complementary approaches from functional and integrative medicine support overall health by addressing underlying factors.
Nutrition and Avoiding Environmental Toxins
A healthy and balanced diet is essential for managing Graves’ disease. Some research suggests that dietary changes and avoiding environmental toxins may improve symptoms.
Herbal and Nutritional Supplements
Certain herbs and supplements may help manage Graves’ disease symptoms, such as ashwagandha root and selenium.
Acupuncture
This traditional Chinese medicine technique involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture has been shown to improve thyroid symptoms.
Mind-body Practices
Techniques like Kundalini yoga and meditation may help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which may benefit those with Graves’ disease.
Choosing the Right Treatment for Graves’ Disease
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating Graves’ disease. The best treatment depends on your long-term goals, symptom severity, and underlying health conditions.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Relief
For short-term symptom relief, medications like beta-blockers can work wonders.
Beta-blockers help manage symptoms like a fast heartbeat, shaking, and anxiety by blocking the effects of adrenaline. However, they only treat the symptoms and don’t reduce thyroid hormone levels as anti-thyroid medications do.
Imagine you’re dealing with racing heartbeats or shaky hands that make even holding a coffee cup a challenge. Beta-blockers can help calm those symptoms.
For longer-term solutions, conventional treatments like radioactive iodine therapy (RAI), antithyroid medications, or surgery are common options.
Both approaches can be life-changing. However, they come with trade-offs because they are not personalized to your unique situation.
That’s where functional and integrative medicine stands out. These holistic and natural solutions focus on you as a whole, addressing your specific root cause for a truly tailored approach.
Managing Symptoms vs. Addressing the Root Cause
Treatments like medication and surgery can help manage hyperthyroidism symptoms and control hormone levels.
However, they don’t address the root cause, which in some cases is an autoimmune disorder like Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. As a result, the underlying autoimmune response and related inflammation may still persist.
Addressing The Root Cause
Functional medicine looks at the bigger picture of what might be driving your thyroid imbalance in the first place.
Restoring balance naturally often starts with addressing root causes like chronic stress, gut health problems, or immune system issues.
These factors can have a big impact on your overall well-being, especially when it comes to thyroid function. Research highlights the strong connection between sleep, diet, and exercise in keeping your thyroid healthy.
While functional medicine isn’t a quick fix, it offers a sustainable, holistic approach to managing Graves’ disease.
Also, finding the right approach may take time, but with the right tools and support from our functional medicine providers at PrimeHealth, managing Graves’ disease becomes a more achievable and empowering journey.
Denver’s Leading Functional and Integrative Medicine Clinic
At Prime Health in Denver, Colorado, we specialize in addressing the root cause of your thyroid condition naturally, effectively, and sustainably.
Our team of experienced functional medicine providers takes a personalized approach, tailoring treatments to your unique needs and helping restore optimal health from the inside out.
Take the first step toward better health today. Schedule your consultation with our team and discover how functional medicine can transform your life!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions:
What Is TED and How Is It Related to Graves’ Disease?
Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is an autoimmune condition that often occurs alongside Graves’ disease. It causes inflammation and swelling in the eye area, leading to symptoms like bulging eyes, dryness, or double vision. Both conditions stem from an overactive immune system.
How to Treat Thyroid Eye Disease?
Treatment for TED depends on its severity. Mild cases can be managed with lubricating eye drops and sunglasses, while more severe cases may require medications to reduce inflammation or, in rare cases, surgery to restore eye function and appearance.
Treatment Options if Graves’ Disease Affects Your Skin?
Graves’ disease can cause thick, red skin, usually on the shins or feet, known as pretibial myxedema. Treatments include topical corticosteroids, wraps, and in some cases, thyroid hormone management to address the root cause.
Can Graves’ Disease Be Prevented?
Graves’ disease can’t be fully prevented as it’s linked to genetic and autoimmune factors. However, managing stress, avoiding smoking, and maintaining regular health check-ups can help lower the risk of triggering or worsening symptoms.
What Are the Possible Complications of Graves’ Disease?
Untreated Graves’ disease can lead to serious issues, including heart problems, brittle bones, and severe Thyroid Eye Disease. Early diagnosis and proper treatment minimize these risks and improve overall health.
