Abstract
Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is an autoimmune disease. The body produces stimulating antibodies against the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors on the thyroid gland. This results in stimulation of the thyroid to produce excessive amounts of the two thyroid hormones, triiodothyroniine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The thyroid is no longer under the normal feedback control of pituitary TSH. Increased levels of T3 and T4 circulate in the bloodstream and affect the function of most organ systems in the body. The active hormone at the level of the cell nucleus is T3. Although both hormones are secreted by the thyroid, much of the secreted T4 is converted to T3 in peripheral tissues.
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© 2005 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ
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(2005). Graves’ Disease. In: Thyroid Disease. Current Clinical Practice. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-944-3:021
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-944-3:021
Publisher Name: Humana Press
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