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Thyroid  (Expert Forum)
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Hyperthyroidism or Grave's Disease?
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
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Hyperthyroidism or Grave's Disease?

by Nomes, Aug 21, 2005 12:00AM
I have hyperthyroidism and my doctod told me this is the same as grave's. I have nearly all the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. I don't have bulging eyes, a goiter or weird skin on my shins. Does this mean I don't have Grave's? Or are these symptoms likely to develop in time?

I am a bit freaked out by it!
Member Comments (7)

by whitwhit, Aug 21, 2005 12:00AM
Graves disease is not the same thing as hyperthyroidism. They have very similar synptoms, however, people with graves tend to have nore severe symtoms and there are different things going on in their body than people with just hyperthyroidism. Many people with hyperthyroidism and graves never show symptoms. It simply depends on the individual. I would recommend speaking with either your doctor or getting a second opinion to determine what exactly you have. When my endocrinologist ecamined my first thyroid panel 5 yrs ago, he was able to tell with just once glance that I had Graves disease and not just hyperthyroidism.

by whitwhit, Aug 21, 2005 12:00AM
ALso, I have Graves and it was 3 years before I developed any rashes. The only one I have currently is a rash on my lower leg which is characteristic of graves disease. I have been fortunate enough not to have any eye problems. I believe they say only about 50 % with Graves develop the eye problems.

by whitwhit, Aug 21, 2005 12:00AM
Sorry, I keepp forgetting to put write things...I hace had graves for 5 yrs and I justdeveloped a goiter about 6 months ago...hope this helps!

by Nomes, Aug 21, 2005 12:00AM
Whitwhit

Thank you, I haven't seen a specialist yet & I didn't know if I needed to, but now I think I should!

by ar1281a, Aug 21, 2005 12:00AM
Hi,



Graves causes hyperthyroidism, your Dr probably said this as the majority of the overactive thyroid cases are due to Graves. Nonetheless, to be able to correctly diagnose Graves an antibodies test needs to be performed. Do you know if your Dr performed this test? if a person presents these antibodies then the cause for her hyperthyroidism is, without a doubt, Graves. However, if doesn't, then other alternatives need to be explored. BTW, many people with Graves don't develop the eyes/goiter or other symptoms. If you do have Graves and don't have eye related symptoms, consider yourself lucky. The best thing to do is to ask your Dr if the AB test was conducted, if not to get tested for it and finally, to see an endocrinologist. Hope this helps.

by seeangel, Aug 21, 2005 12:00AM
hi guys, i have graves dieseae, it is the most commenest cause of hyperthyroidism. i was told also its the same thing by my doctor.but the symptoms are different as there are different thins causing the overactive gland so different things going on in the body. you dont have to have every single symptom going to have graves ie i dont have the bulging eyes but my eyes are irritable this is only prevalent in 50% of suferers. i have most of symptoms and can tell ya ive had a bellyful. i hope im in the forty percent of patients thatcan be cured .god bless everyone xx

by JDrake, Aug 21, 2005 12:00AM
I too have Grave's Disease.  It is a form of hyperthyroidism.  I went to a radiologist after my doctor told me that my thyroid was overactive and had a radioactive iodine uptake test and that is how I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease.  It is usually genetic and occurs in women more often than men.  I didn't have the bulging eyes or the problems with the skin on my chin either.  From what I have read on it the eye problem is more likely to occur in smokers than non-smokers.  My mom has Grave's disease too and she didn't have any problems with her eyes until 10 years after her diagnosis.  My endocrinologist told me that I would be less likely to have any problems with my eyes if I had the RAI treatment for my Grave's vs. the suppression treatment.  Whether that is true or not, I don't know.  Don't know if I was helpful or not.  One of the websites that helped me was www.thyroid.org  There is a lot of information on Grave's on that site.  Maybe it will help you too!
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