GRAVES DISEASE AND THE RELATIONSHIP TO HYPERTHYROIDISM

Abstract

Introduction: Graves' Disease (GD), discovered in 1835 by Robert Graves, is also known as Basedow's disease or diffuse toxic goiter. It is an autoimmune condition that alters the functioning of the thyroid gland, leading to hyperthyroidism. The etiology of the disease is not yet completely understood, but it is considered multifactorial, with a clear genetic predisposition. GD is more prevalent in women between 20 and 40 years old and its causes involve a complex interaction of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors, in addition to stress and excessive iodine intake. Diagnosis is carried out through laboratory tests, antibody testing and imaging methods, such as thyroid scintigraphy. Treatment includes antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine therapy and surgical interventions, with the choice of the appropriate approach depending on the patient's individual characteristics. Objective: to show the characteristics, symptoms and treatment of Graves’ disease and its relationship with hyperthyroidism. Methodology: A bibliographic research was adopted as a methodological procedure for the study with systematic review, covering scientific articles from the databases Scielo, Pubmed and Google academic with temporal clipping from 1835 to 2018. Results: Graves’ disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism, affecting mainly women between 20-40 years of age. Conclusion: Graves’ disease generates a wide variety of signs and symptoms that develop slowly and gradually advance, when untreated can cause several consequences in the quality of life of a person.Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI), along with thyroid-stimulating hormone, promote the development of Graves' disease, impacting the excessive production of thyroid hormones, increasing the size of the thyroid gland, and consequently leading to a diffuse goiter.