Endocrinology and Diabetes
Graves’ Disease
We understand how Graves’ disease can affect your health and your life. We provide the most advanced treatments, tailored to you.
Medically reviewed by Michael Campbell, M.D. on Dec. 04, 2023.
Specialized Care for People with Graves’ Disease
At UC Davis Health, our endocrinologists specialize in caring for people who have thyroid disorders along with other autoimmune diseases. We use a team approach to treat complex health challenges.
On this page
What Is Graves’ Disease?
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks the tissue of your thyroid. Your thyroid is a small gland at the front of your neck next to your voice box. This condition leads to an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, which means your thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone.
Graves’ disease can affect many different functions and organs in your body, including your:
- Appetite and weight.
- Bone health.
- Eyes and vision.
- Heart.
- Mood and memory.
- Muscle strength.
- Sleep.
- Irregular heart rate (arrhythmia).
Graves’ Disease Symptoms
Graves’ disease has many symptoms that can affect your overall health and everyday life. You may have only a few symptoms or many symptoms, and they may come and go.
Common Symptoms
You may experience:
- Anxiety or mood changes
- Concentration or memory problems
- Diarrhea
- Goiter (enlarged thyroid)
- Increased appetite, but with weight loss
- Increased sweating
- Rapid, irregular or strong heartbeat
- Sleep problems and fatigue
- Weak or shaky muscles
Emergency Symptoms
When you begin treatment for Graves’ disease, you have a higher risk for a serious condition called a thyroid crisis. Call 911 or get medical attention right away if you experience:
- Fainting
- High fever
- Jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes)
- Seizure
- Severe confusion
- Very rapid heartbeat
Graves’ Disease Causes and Risk Factors
Graves’ disease happens when something changes in your body and your immune system attacks your thyroid. What causes the attack is usually not known, but certain events may trigger this change. Possible triggers include pregnancy, stress and viral infections.
There are also factors that put you at higher risk of developing Graves’ disease. These include:
Age
People between the ages of 20 and 50 are at the highest risk of developing Graves’ disease.
Family History
If you have close family members with Graves’ disease, your risk of developing it is higher.
Biological Sex
More women than men develop Graves’ disease.
Other Autoimmune Diseases
You have increased risk of Graves’ disease if you also have other autoimmune conditions.
Diagnosing Graves’ Disease
Your provider will ask about your medical history and your symptoms and check to see if your thyroid feels enlarged. You may need tests such as:
- Blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels and thyroid antibodies. Certain antibodies are markers for Graves’ disease.
- Iodine uptake test to see how much iodine your thyroid absorbs. For this test, you take a small amount of radioactive iodine, which then shows up on a scan of your thyroid.
- Thyroid ultrasound to look for increased blood flow in your thyroid or a larger than normal thyroid, which is a sign of Graves’ disease.
You also may need tests to check for other autoimmune diseases. Getting a full picture of your health helps us personalize your treatment.
Graves’ Disease Treatments at UC Davis Health
At UC Davis Health, we use the most advanced treatments available. Our endocrinologists are experts at helping people with autoimmune conditions. We work with your other health care providers to find the best options for you. Thyroid diseases are lifelong conditions, and we’re here to support you.
Treatment for Graves’ disease depends on your overall health and other medications you’re taking. We also consider whether you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant.
Medications
Antithyroid medications keep your thyroid from making too much thyroid hormone. You also may need to take beta blockers, drugs that normalize your heart rate, to protect your heart health.
Radioiodine Therapy
For this therapy, a nuclear medicine specialist gives you radioactive iodine. The radiation shrinks your thyroid, so it produces less thyroid hormone.
Surgery
Surgery may be needed to remove your thyroid if it doesn’t get better with medications, there’s concern for cancer, you’re pregnant or Graves’ disease has affected your eyes. Our endocrine surgery team specializes in innovative techniques that leave little or no scarring.
Who does it affect?
1.2%Of people in the U.S.
Graves’ disease causes
60-80%Of hyperthyroid cases
Source: National Institutes of Health: StatPearls: Graves' Disease
Request an Appointment
As Sacramento's No. 1 hospital, you'll benefit from unique advantages in primary care and specialty care. This includes prevention, diagnosis and treatment options from experts in 150 specialties.
Referring Physicians
To refer a patient, you can submit an electronic referral form or call.
Patients
For questions and appointment information
Consumer Resource Center
Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics*, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in back surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, and gastroenterology & GI surgery.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
Latest Internal Medicine News
