Symptoms of Graves’ disease (and hyperthyroidism) include:
The onset of Graves’ disease symptoms is usually gradual. It often takes several weeks or months to develop V体育平台登录. But sometimes, it develops suddenly over a few days. You may experience some of these symptoms or many at the same time.
See your healthcare provider if you have symptoms. Graves’ disease needs to be treated VSports注册入口.
Graves’ disease can also cause eye issues, like:
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This is called Graves’ orbitopathy or thyroid eye disease. About 1 in 3 people with Graves’ disease develop it VSports在线直播.
Up to 4% of people with Graves’ disease develop pretibial myxedema (Graves’ dermopathy) V体育2025版. It causes a lumpy, discolored thickening of your skin — usually on your legs.
About 1% of people with Graves’ disease have thyroid acropachy. This causes clubbing of your fingers and toes.
Graves’ disease happens when something triggers your immune system to overproduce an antibody called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI). TSI attaches to healthy thyroid cells, causing your thyroid to overproduce thyroid hormones.
In one study, researchers estimated that your genes contribute to 79% of your risk of developing Graves’ disease. This means that Graves’ disease is partially hereditary. The remaining percentage of risk (21%) is due to environmental factors.
Scientists don’t know exactly why your immune system attacks your thyroid. But they think the trigger may happen due to environmental factors, like:
Risk factors for Graves’ disease include:
Untreated or undermanaged Graves’ disease increases your risk of the following complications:
Graves’ disease may also increase your risk of thyroid cancer.
Untreated Graves’ disease during pregnancy can be harmful to you and the fetus. It can increase the risk of:
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. This includes your family history of thyroid disease. They’ll also do a physical exam.
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They may also recommend the following tests to confirm a Graves’ disease diagnosis:
Graves’ disease is a lifelong (chronic) condition. But treatments can keep your thyroid hormone levels in check. Medical care may even make the disease temporarily go away (remission).
Treatments for Graves’ disease include:
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Radioiodine therapy and thyroidectomy usually lead to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). If you develop this condition, you’ll need to take thyroid replacement hormone medications for the rest of your life. But hypothyroidism is easier to treat than hyperthyroidism. It causes fewer long-term health problems.
All the Graves’ disease treatment options have benefits and risks. And there’s no agreement in the medical community on which treatment is the best. It’s important to discuss all the options in detail with your provider to make the best choice for you.
Researchers are currently studying antigen-specific immunotherapy as a treatment for Graves’ disease. Ask your healthcare provider if a clinical trial is an option.
You’ll need to see your healthcare provider regularly throughout your life. They’ll make sure your thyroid levels are in check and your treatment plan is working. If you develop any new symptoms, talk to your provider.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of thyroid storm, call 911 (or your local emergency service number) or get to the nearest emergency room (ER) as soon as possible. Thyroid storm is life-threatening.
If Graves’ disease is properly treated, the prognosis (outlook) is generally good. Without treatment, Graves’ disease can cause complications that can affect your overall health or life expectancy.
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Getting a new diagnosis can be stressful. The good news is that Graves’ disease is a manageable and treatable condition. If you have symptoms or certain risk factors, like a family history of thyroid disease, contact your healthcare provider. They can recommend some simple tests to see if your thyroid is making too much thyroid hormone.
Cleveland Clinic’s experienced healthcare providers treat all kinds of thyroid disorders, including issues that cause hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Last reviewed on 05/14/2025.
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