What is Graves' Disease?
Updated: July 07, 2025
4 mins
Many women experience hyperthyroidism in their adult years. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition that is often the primary cause of hyperthyroidism in women. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is overactive.
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck that helps with metabolism and regulating functions in the body. One of the most visible signs of Graves’ disease is swelling around the neck.
Those with Graves’ disease may experience weight fluctuations, irregular periods, and other symptoms. However, not everyone with Graves’ disease experiences symptoms. Fortunately, there are various diagnostic tests and treatment options for Graves’ disease.
What Causes Graves’ Disease?
Generally, health experts are still researching why some people develop Graves’ disease. When someone has Graves' disease, the immune system makes an antibody (thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin) that mistakenly attacks cells in the thyroid gland. TSI (thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin) leads to an overproduction of the thyroid hormone. Someone with Graves’ disease may also have low estrogen and progesterone levels.
Certain major life changes, like pregnancy and emotional stress, may lead to the development of Graves’ disease.
What are the Common Symptoms of Graves’ Disease?
Graves’ disease symptoms are often different for women than they are for men. Those with Graves' disease experience symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism.
Both men and women with Graves’ disease may experience the following symptoms:
Muscle weakness
Shakiness
Sweating
Frequent bowel movements
Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
Trouble sleeping
Anxiety
A thyroid storm is a potentially life-threatening hyperthyroidism complication. While rare, it can lead to major stress in the body, causing a heart attack or trauma to the thyroid gland. Leaving Graves’ disease untreated may lead to further complications like osteoporosis, stroke, heart failure, and muscle problems.
Symptoms of Graves’ disease in women
Be sure to let your gynecologist (a healthcare provider specializing in women’s health conditions) know if you have Graves’ disease. Women with Graves’ disease may also experience irregular periods and pregnancy complications.
While rare, Graves’ disease can also lead to eye and skin complications. Those with Graves’ disease may experience bulging eyes and eye irritation. In extreme cases, you may experience vision changes while having Graves’ disease.
For women who are diagnosed with Graves’ disease while pregnant, an endocrinologist (a healthcare provider specializing in hormonal imbalances) can help you track and manage thyroid levels.
How is Graves’ Disease Different from Hashimoto’s Disease?
Both Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s disease affect the thyroid gland. However, Graves’ disease is linked to hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), whereas Hashimoto’s disease is linked to hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid).
Who is Most at Risk for Graves’ Disease?
Women are at the most risk of developing Graves’ disease. The condition is also more common among adults over the age of 30. If you have a parent with hyperthyroidism, your risk of developing Graves’ disease may be higher. It’s important to be transparent with your healthcare provider about your health history so that they can treat you properly.
How is Graves’ Disease Diagnosed?
Before diagnosis, a healthcare provider may run a series of tests to check for Graves’ disease. If you are showing symptoms, a healthcare provider will ask about your medical history. However, some people may have Graves’ disease and not show symptoms.
After performing a physical exam, a healthcare provider may recommend the following tests to check for Graves’ disease:
Blood tests: A blood test can help detect levels of thyroid hormones.
Thyroid scan: This test shows the presence of iodine in the thyroid. The presence of iodine in the thyroid gland can show signs of hyperthyroidism in nodules (small lumps in the gland).
Radioactive iodine uptake tests: A test that measures iodine in the thyroid. This test can often be used with a thyroid scan.
Doppler blood flow measurement: Also known as a Doppler ultrasound, a Doppler blood flow measurement is a test using sound waves to detect an increase in blood flow in the thyroid. This test may be harmful to pregnant individuals.
Treatment Options for Graves’ Disease
The main goal of Graves’ disease treatment is managing hyperthyroidism. A healthcare provider may recommend the following treatments for Graves’ disease based on symptoms, your health profile, and other factors like age:
Methimazole
Propylthiouracil
In more extreme cases, a healthcare provider may recommend radioactive iodine therapy or thyroid surgery. Radioiodine is taken as a capsule or liquid to help destroy cells in the thyroid gland that overproduce thyroid hormones. A healthcare provider will give you instructions on how long to take the radioiodine tablets.
A healthcare professional may also recommend beta blockers in between radioiodine therapy treatments. However, there is a risk of developing hypothyroidism (the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones). Hormone replacement therapy may be used to treat hypothyroidism, but it is not used to treat hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease.
Thyroid surgery is a procedure that involves removing part of the thyroid gland to treat hyperthyroidism. This treatment option is commonly used for pregnant women or those with a large goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland).
While you can use hormone replacement therapy to treat menopausal symptoms, your healthcare provider may adjust your medication dosage for Graves’ disease in the process.
What to Know About Living with Graves’ Disease
The long-term effects of Graves’ disease are unique to each individual. Some individuals may require more prolonged treatment than others. When living with Graves’ disease, you can incorporate healthy habits like getting adequate exercise, managing stress, and eating a well-balanced diet. Health experts have found that those with Graves’ disease experience vitamin D and calcium deficiency. Eating foods rich in vitamin D and calcium may help alleviate symptoms of Graves’ disease.
Is Graves’ Disease Life-Threatening?
Graves’ disease can be life-threatening if left untreated. Untreated Graves’ disease can lead to potentially fatal symptoms like a heart attack or stroke.
Where Can I Learn More About Managing Graves’ Disease?
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism are often similar to menopausal symptoms. A LifeMD-affiliated healthcare provider can help you develop a treatment plan for managing Graves’ disease and other common women’s health conditions like menopause.
With a LifeMD membership, you can access educational resources about women’s health, advice from licensed healthcare professionals, and prescription Graves’ disease medications if you qualify.
LifeMD allows members to meet with a healthcare provider in under an hour to find treatment to relieve Graves’ disease symptoms and other women’s health conditions.
Get started today by finding out what treatment options may work for you.
LifeMD makes it easy to stay on top of your health because talking to a doctor, filling your prescriptions, getting your labs done—and more—are all easy and cost-effective. Come discover a healthcare solution built around you and your life.
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