Graves' disease, a common form of hyperthyroidism, develops when a person's immune system mistakenly perceives the thyroid gland as a threat. The body's subsequent attack on the thyroid creates the hormone imbalances and metabolic disturbances of Graves' disease.
Features
The body's normal reaction to stress is to signal for the release of hormones that allow the body to respond appropriately. In Graves' disease patients, the thyroid releases unusually high levels of thyroxine, a hormone that controls metabolism. Many Graves' disease patients report feeling anxious and fearful.
Symptoms
When the metabolism rises above the normal range, a variety of symptoms develop, including anxiety, irritability, a racing heart, unexplained weight loss and tremors in the hands or fingers.
Correlation to Stress
A study cited by the National Institutes of Health (see Resources) found that a statistically significant number of Graves' disease patients experience a stressful life event before developing Graves' disease. According to the Thyroid Disease Manager (see Resources), some studies support a connection between stress and Graves' disease, but others have not shown a relationship between the two.
Prevention/Solution
In addition to medical treatments, Graves' patients are often encouraged to pursue relaxation techniques to relieve anxiety and to eliminate causes of stress in their lives.
Fun Fact
According to the Thyroid Disease Manager, the link between stress and Graves' disease was first reported in 1820.
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