$Unique_ID{BRK00637}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What is the Difference Between an Overactive Thyroid and Grave's Disease?}
$Subject{thyroid Grave's disease hyperthyroidism Endocrine Glands goiter eyes
bulge exophthalmos}
$Volume{C-22}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is the Difference Between an Overactive Thyroid and Grave's Disease?


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QUESTION:  My husband had a thyroid operation three years ago for an
overactive thyroid.  When the bill came, they had diagnosed the problem as
Grave's Disease.  Can you tell us what the difference is between an overactive
thyroid and Grave's Disease?  Some say it is the same.

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ANSWER:  The technical name for an overactive thyroid is Hyperthyroidism,
which is one of a group of findings which are classified as Grave's Disease.
In the diagnosis of Grave's Disease, we find not only a hyperactive thyroid,
but also one or more of the following conditions; goiter, which is, in fact,
an enlarged thyroid; prominent eyes which seem to bulge (exophthalmos), and
swelling of the legs in the area around and above the ankle.  The eyes take on
a staring look and sometimes the lids become swollen or retracted.  The
patients may complain of excessive tearing or irritation, and are annoyed by
bright lights.  The swelling in the leg area may be very itchy and red.  Both
the eye condition and the skin condition can appear years before the actual
onset of the effects of the overactive thyroid.  In other cases, they're not
discovered until years later.  At any rate, the operation certainly was
indicated, for even when too much of the thyroid is removed, doctors can
always replace the amount of thyroid hormone necessary for normal body
activity by prescribing synthetic thyroid hormone.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.