Show
If you have Graves’ disease — an autoimmune condition that causes hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid — you may already be taking medication for it. Unlike some other conditions, Graves’ disease can’t be reversed with dietary changes alone. It has to be treated with conventional medication. “Medical intervention is always the first step with Graves’,” says Susan Spratt, MD, an endocrinologist with Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Once you’re being treated, though — and after your doctor has given you the green light — you can consider making nutritional changes to your diet. Some nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, are important for people who have Graves’ disease, whereas others, including iodine, could be potentially harmful, explains Kelly Kennedy, a registered dietitian with Everyday Health. This is also why Dr. Spratt always recommends medicine first and then dietary and lifestyle changes as a complementary treatment. Here’s what to eat and what to avoid if you have Graves’ disease. (Just remember to always talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet.) In the United States, salt manufacturers routinely add iodine, a trace mineral, to table salt to combat iodine deficiency. For people with Graves’ disease, though, too much iodine isn’t always a good thing. Iodine can cause your body to produce more TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), which tells the thyroid to make more thyroid hormone. This, explains Spratt, “is not what you want with hyperthyroidism.” (Left untreated, an overactive thyroid can cause heart, bone, and muscle problems, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.) The recommended iodine intake is 150 micrograms, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), but people with hyperthyroidism may need to consume less than that. Talk to your doctor about how much iodine you should be getting each day. To find out if your salt contains iodine, look at the nutrition label, which would say “iodized” or “provides iodine.” Some specialty salts, including sea salt and kosher salt, usually don’t contain iodine. An overactive thyroid can speed up bone turnover — the natural process of breaking down and rebuilding bones. This, in turn, can increase the body’s need for calcium. Not getting enough calcium, in the long run, can contribute to brittle bones and osteoporosis. To avoid these complications, try to consume calcium-rich leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, and kale. Think salads over supplements. “I’m a big proponent of getting your vitamins and minerals from your plate and whole foods,” says Spratt. Dairy products, such as milk, are sources of calcium, but they also contain iodine, according to the ODS. Seaweed, such as kelp, nori, kombu, and wakame, can be particularly high in iodine. One 10-gram serving of dried nori contains 232 micrograms of iodine per serving — about 155 percent of the daily recommended value, according to the ODS. Because calcium is so important when you have hyperthyroidism, it’s recommended that you also consume vitamin D, which improves calcium absorption, explains Kennedy. One food that’s particularly high in vitamin D is salmon: One 3-ounce serving contains about 570 IU (international units). Not sure if you’re getting enough vitamin D? Your doctor can check your levels with a blood test. “While there are many foods high in vitamin D, it’s rare you can get enough of it from foods alone,” says Kennedy, who notes that some people may want to take a water soluble supplement of 1,000 international units (IU). (Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.) Selenium plays a role in making thyroid hormones and regulating thyroid function. Though rare, people with Graves’ disease can also develop thyroid eye disease (TED), which causes progressive inflammation of the eye and can result in blindness. According to the American Thyroid Association, research has shown that a selenium deficiency may be linked to an increased risk for TED in people with Graves’ disease; supplementing your diet with selenium may help treat it. Foods that are rich in selenium include Brazil nuts and sunflower seeds. A study published in March 2019 in the journal Autoimmunity Reviews found that Graves’ disease can also be associated with celiac disease, another type of autoimmune disorder in which people can’t eat the gluten (a protein) found in wheat, barley, and rye. (In people with celiac, eating gluten triggers a reaction that damages the lining of the small intestine.) If you’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease, Kennedy recommends eliminating gluten from your diet so as not to exacerbate hyperthyroid symptoms or affect hormone levels. “But if you have not tested positive, there’s no reason to eliminate gluten from your diet,” she says. If you’re managing an autoimmune disease such as hyperthyroidism, consider eating a diet that’s rich in antioxidants, which are substances found in fruits and vegetables that can help stave off cell damage. “Antioxidants are great, because they reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, which can help autoimmune diseases,” explains Kennedy. Plus, she adds, these “foods generally just make you feel better and make your body function better.” One food group that’s particularly high in antioxidants? Berries, including raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Some of the symptoms associated with Graves’ disease include anxiety, nervousness, rapid heart rate, and weight loss, all of which can be made worse by too much caffeine. Energy drinks are one of the biggest sources of caffeine. “I always recommend avoiding energy drinks no matter what, because they’re highly processed, high in sugar and artificial ingredients, and, obviously, high in caffeine,” says Kennedy. Kennedy also suggests limiting coffee and tea. “Even though tea is lower in caffeine than coffee, it can add up,” she says. Research shows that hyperthyroidism has been linked to low levels of iron in the body, says Kennedy. One study, published in August 2017 in the journal Clinical Endocrinology noted that Graves’ disease can cause a decrease in iron levels. If you suspect that you’re deficient in iron, ask your physician to order routine blood work to check your levels, she says. If you’re running low, consider increasing your intake of iron-rich foods. But before you go reaching for a steak, consider this: People who eat a vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, and pescetarian diet are less likely to have hyperthyroidism than people who eat meat, according to a study published in June 2015 in the journal Public Health Nutrition. One plant food that’s rich in iron? Legumes. A half-cup serving contains 3 milligrams of iron, or about 17 percent of your recommended daily intake, according to the ODS. “The more iron you can get from vegetables and non-meat products, the better, as some research suggests decreasing your meat and poultry intake can improve hyperthyroid symptoms,” says Kennedy. To maximize your body’s ability to absorb iron, pair iron-dense food with foods high in vitamin C.
On this page: What is Graves’ disease?Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. Thyroid hormones control the way your body uses energy, so they affect nearly every organ in your body, even the way your heart beats. With Graves’ disease, your immune system attacks your thyroid gland, causing it to make more thyroid hormones than your body needs. As a result, many of your body’s functions speed up.  How common is Graves’ disease?Graves’ disease affects nearly 1 in 100 Americans.1 About 4 out of 5 cases of hyperthyroidism in the United States are caused by Graves’ disease.1 Who is more likely to have Graves’ disease?Graves’ disease is more common in women and people older than age 30.2 You are more likely to develop the disease if you
What are the complications of Graves’ disease?Untreated, Graves’ disease can cause serious health problems, including
What are the symptoms of Graves’ disease?Graves’ disease often causes symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Graves’ disease can also affect your eyes and skin. Symptoms can come and go over time. HyperthyroidismSymptoms of hyperthyroidism can vary from person to person and may include5
Eye problemsMore than 1 in 3 people with Graves’ disease develop an eye disease called Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO).6 GO occurs when your immune system attacks the muscles and other tissues around your eyes. Symptoms can include
These symptoms can start before or at the same time as symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Rarely, GO can develop after Graves’ disease has been treated. You can develop GO even if your thyroid function is normal. Most people have mild symptoms. Skin problemsRarely, people with Graves’ disease develop a condition that causes the skin to become reddish and thick, with a rough texture. Called Graves’ dermopathy or pretibial myxedema, the condition usually affects your shins but can also develop on the top of your feet and other parts of your body. Most cases are mild and painless. Researchers aren’t sure why some people develop autoimmune disorders such as Graves’ disease. These disorders probably develop from a combination of genes and an outside trigger, such as a virus. With Graves’ disease, your immune system makes an antibody called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) that attaches to your thyroid cells. TSI acts like thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a hormone made in your pituitary gland that tells your thyroid how much thyroid hormone to make. TSI causes your thyroid to make too much thyroid hormone. How do doctors diagnose Graves’ disease?Your doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical exam to look for signs of Graves’ disease. To confirm a diagnosis of Graves’ disease, your doctor may order one or more of these thyroid tests
How do doctors treat Graves’ disease?Treating hyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism is usually treated with medicines, radioiodine therapy, or thyroid surgery. Your doctor can help you identify the best option based on your age, health, symptoms, and other factors.
Beta-blockers. Beta-blockers are drugs that block the action of substances, such as adrenaline, on nerve cells. They cause blood vessels to relax and widen.
Antithyroid medicines. Antithyroid therapy is the simplest way to treat hyperthyroidism. Methimazole is used most often. Propylthiouracil is often used for women during the first 3 months of pregnancy because methimazole can, on rare occasions, harm the fetus.
Seek care right awayWhile taking antithyroid drugs, call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms
Radioiodine therapy is a common and effective treatment. You can take radioactive iodine-131 by mouth as a capsule or liquid.
Almost everyone who gets radioiodine therapy later develops hypothyroidism. But hypothyroidism is easier to treat than hyperthyroidism by taking a daily thyroid hormone medicine, and it causes fewer long-term health problems.
Surgery to remove part or most of the thyroid gland is used less often to treat hyperthyroidism. Sometimes doctors use surgery to treat people with large goiters or pregnant women who cannot take antithyroid medicines.
When part of your thyroid is removed, you may develop hypothyroidism after surgery and need to take thyroid hormone medicine. If your whole thyroid is removed, you will need to take thyroid hormone medicine for life. After surgery, your doctor will continue to check your thyroid hormone levels and will adjust your thyroid medicine dosage as needed. Most cases of GO are mild. The following tips may help you control mild symptoms.
GO often improves with treatment or even resolves on its own. But it can come back or get worse. Triggers include stressful life events and smoking.6 Smoking makes GO worse. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, stop. Ask for help so you don’t have to do it alone. You can start by calling the National Quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW or 1-800-784-8669. For tips on quitting, go to Smokefree.gov. Your thyroid uses iodine to make thyroid hormones. If you have Graves’ disease or another autoimmune thyroid disorder, you may be sensitive to harmful side effects from too much iodine in your diet. Eating foods that have large amounts of iodine—such as kelp, dulse, or other kinds of seaweed—may cause or worsen hyperthyroidism. Taking iodine supplements can have the same effect. Talk with your health care professional about
Clinical Trials for Graves’ DiseaseThe NIDDK conducts and supports clinical trials in many diseases and conditions, including endocrine diseases. The trials look to find new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease and improve quality of life. What are clinical trials for Graves’ disease?Clinical trials—and other types of clinical studies—are part of medical research and involve people like you. When you volunteer to take part in a clinical study, you help doctors and researchers learn more about disease and improve health care for people in the future. Researchers are studying many aspects of Graves’ disease, including new medicines for treating Graves’ disease and GO. Watch a video of NIDDK Director Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers explaining the importance of participating in clinical trials.
What clinical studies for Graves’ disease are looking for participants?You can view a filtered list of clinical studies on Graves’ disease that are open and recruiting at www.ClinicalTrials.gov. You can expand or narrow the list to include clinical studies from industry, universities, and individuals; however, the National Institutes of Health does not review these studies and cannot ensure they are safe. Always talk with your health care provider before you participate in a clinical study. References[1] Akram S, Elfenbein DM, Chen H, Schneider DF, Sippel RS. Assessing American Thyroid Association guidelines for total thyroidectomy in Graves’ disease. Journal of Surgical Research. 2020;245:64–71. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2019.07.029 [2] Kahaly GJ, Bartalena L, Hegedus L, Leenhardt L, Poppe K, Pearce SH. 2018 European Thyroid Association guideline for the management of Graves’ hyperthyroidism. European Thyroid Journal. 2018;7(4):167–186. doi: 10.1159/000490384 [3] Ferrari SM, Fallahi P, Ruffilli I, et al. The association of other autoimmune diseases in patients with Graves’ disease (with or without ophthalmopathy): review of the literature and report of a large series. Autoimmunity Reviews. 2019;18(3):287–292. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2018.10.001 [4] Rotondi M, Virili C, Pinto S, et al. The clinical phenotype of Graves’ disease occurring as an isolated condition or in association with other autoimmune diseases. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation. 2020;43(2):157–162. doi: 10.1007/s40618-019-01094-7 [5] Mathew P, Rawla P. Hyperthyroidism. In: StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. Updated November 21, 2020. Accessed July 14, 2021. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537053 [6] Antonelli A, Fallahi P, Elia G, et al. Graves’ disease: clinical manifestations, immune pathogenesis (cytokines and chemokines), and therapy. Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2020;34(1):101388. doi: 10.1016/j.beem.2020.101388
This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by the NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts. The NIDDK would like to thank: |
Once you have graves disease do you always have it
Pos Terkait
Copyright © 2024 membukakan Inc.
