What is Graves' disease? Autoimmune thyroid
disease (AITD) includes both Hashimoto's
thyroiditis and Graves' disease. Graves' disease
is an inflammatory, autoimmune disease of the
thyroid with an unknown cause.
Autoimmune disease describes a large group of
diseases characterised by alteration of immune
system function in the body. The body's
immune system loses the ability to distinguish
normal body tissue from foreign or external
tissues. This lack of recognition causes the
immune system to attack the body's own cells,
which results in localised and systemic
reactions. The cause and development of this
process is still unclear. About Graves' disease
Graves' disease involves the presence of
thyroid-stimulating antibodies and usually
demonstrates one or more of the following
situations: Overactive thyroid due to an
enlarged thyroid (goitre).
Exophthalmos - causing the eyes to bulge.
Pretibial myxoedema (swelling of the area in
front of the tibia - shin bone). Graves' disease
has been associated with other autoimmune
diseases including myasthenia gravis,

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