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Introduction to Graves' Disease
Pathogenesis of Graves' Disease
Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body produces antibodies which attack the patient's own tissue. Why the body produces these autoantibodies in patients with Graves' disease, however, remains unknown. The abnormal production of autoimmune antibodies can cause overstimulation of the thyroid gland leading to:
- Diffuse toxic goiter
- Overproduction of thyroid hormone
- Graves' ophthalmopathy
- Graves' dermopathy
The pathogenesis of Graves' disease is associated with several types of autoantibodies, including:
- Thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibodies
- Thyroid peroxidase antibodies
Next: Graves' Ophthalmopathy
