Do You Lose Weight With Graves’ Disease?
Graves’ disease essentially leads to irregular functioning of the body’s immune system affecting the thyroid gland. The hormone so secreted by the gland is responsible for the metabolic function of the body. Graves’s disease results in hyperthyroidism, which speeds up the metabolic process thereby leading to weight loss as a whole.
What are the Other Bodily Problems Associated With Graves’ Disease?
Weight loss is not the only problem associated with Graves’ disease. There are various other bodily problems which occur-
- The patient may complain of irregular heart beat and may suffer from high blood pressure along with anxiety.
- There may be excessive perspiration witnessed by the patient.
- The patient may complain of fatigue despite no tedious activities.
- The muscles of the body may go weak and hands of the patient may be seen to tremble.
- The skin around the shin may become thick and red as the skin looks lumpy.
- As Graves’ disease affects the thyroid gland, it may lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland which leads to swelling at the neck region. This condition is called goiter.
- Goiter also may result in bulging of eyes of the patient.
- Patients are at times seen to complain of improper bowel movements.
- The patient with Graves’ disease also becomes sensitive to heat.
- Female patients may complain of irregular menstrual cycle. For some patients such cycle may cease completely.
What To Do If A Person Is Diagnosed with Graves’ Disease?
In case a person is diagnosed with Graves’ disease or at least suspects to have, one should visit a doctor to take professional help. The doctor usually provides a proper treatment plan according to the severity of the disease and its associated complications. The usual goal of the treatment for such a disease is to basically get back the level of thyroid hormone in the normal condition so that a balance is created internally and the patient is free from all the discomforts.
What Does The Treatment Procedure Of Graves’ Disease Include?
The treatment procedure differs individually keeping in mind the individual differences each one may possess. The treatment plan is sketched out by a team of medical professionals including the doctor who prescribe medicines to stabilize the hormone level in the body of the patient. The team may also include a nutritionist who is responsible for explaining the patient about which food to add in the diet and which food to avoid. When it comes to medicines, the treatment procedure include-
Drugs like methimazole aimed to reduce the overproduction of the thyroid gland.
Doctors may prescribe steroids like prednisone, which help reduce the inflammation due to hyperthyroidism.
Patients with Graves’ disease may also have to undergo the hormone replacement therapy which includes doses of estrogen and progesterone. Such doses may be given together or even independently in forms of pill.
The treatment procedure also includes the use to beta blockers, aimed at treating hyperthyroidism in general.
The doctor may at times prescribe antidepressants, because Graves’ disease at times takes a toll on the patient’s mental health. Commonly used antidepressants are Prozac, Paxil and so on.
Some patients are seen to undergo mood disorder because of Graves’ disease. In such conditions doctors may have to use small doses of lithium or valproate in order to stabilize the patient’s mood and calm down.
Conclusion
It must be noted that although the patient is seen to lose weight, his appetite may not be affected. The treatment procedure of Graves ‘ disease includes hormone stabilizing medications that can help the patient to gain weight.
Also Read:
- Graves’ Disease or Basedow-Graves Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Ophthalmopathy, Dermopathy
- Home Remedies for Graves’ Disease
- Can Graves’s Disease Make You Blind?
- Can you be Cured of Graves’ Disease?
- Can Graves’ Disease Affect Your Eyes?
- Can Graves’s Disease Turn into Cancer?
- What Does Grave’s Disease Do To Your Eyes?