What Is Graves' Disease?

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease that causes enlarged thyroid gland. Symptoms include anxiety, agitation, hair loss, weight loss, bulging eyes, heat intolerance, arrhythmia, excessive sweating, and increased bowel movements.

Treatment for Graves' disease includes medication, radioactive iodine, and surgery. A common drug class used to treat Graves' disease is the antithyroid drugs class. Surgery and radiation will remove or destroy the gland.