Graves’ disease

Key facts Graves’ disease, the most common cause of an overactive thyroid, is an autoimmune disease most common in females aged 20 to 40 years. Your symptoms may include anxiety, irritability, a racing heart, feeling hot, sweating and tremor. You may have bulging eyes and an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre) in your neck. Your doctor can diagnose Graves’ disease with blood tests and treat you with medications and sometimes surgery. What is Graves’ disease? Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease (immune system disorder), that causes your thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone. This happens because your body’s immune system produces