Graves' disease is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone
This is the most common type of excessive function of the thyroid gland and it is five times more common in females, with a peak occurring in adolescence.
The thyroid gland produces the thyroid hormones triiodothryronine (T3) and thryroxine (T4). T3 is the more active form. T4 is also partially converted to T3 when released in the blood stream.

Causes

Graves' disease results when the body's immune system attacks the thyroid gland. The immune system normally guards the body against infections and cancer by making special proteins called antibodies. In Graves' disease, the blood cells that perform this task produce antibodies against proteins on the surface of thyroid cells.

Symptoms

Generally, the symptoms of Graves' disease are identical to the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, a condition that can be caused by Graves' disease.
Signs and symptoms of Graves' disease may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Double vision
• Heat intolerance
• Muscle wasting
• Hair loss
• Infrequent or absent menstrual periods
• Weight loss
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased sweating
• Fatigue
• Moist, warm skin
• Thinning nails

Treatment

Currently there is no treatment available to stop production of the antibodies that cause hyperthyroidism. However, there are three courses of treatment available to help Graves' disease patients have more normal levels of thyroid hormone and to control their symptoms. Anti-thyroid drugs are used to decrease the production of thyroid hormone. Beta blockers, which do not affect production of thyroid hormone, are used to control symptoms.

Because of the failure of anti-thyroid drugs to cure the majority of patients, physicians treat most patients with radioactive iodine.
Surgical removal of most of the thyroid gland is the other alternative for severe cases of Graves' disease. As with any surgery there are risks and because there are so many important structures in the area of the thyroid gland, it becomes even riskier as more complications could arise. After surgery you will need to take thyroid hormones the rest of your life.