The hyperthyroidism and goitre of Graves' disease result from the interaction of TSH-R(s) antibodies with the TSH-R, mimicking the action of TSH. In some patients, TSH-R antibodies bind to the TSH-R but fail to activate it; these blocking antibodies ΓÇô TSH-R(b) ΓÇô which are also found in some patients with Hashimoto's disease, myxoedema, and neonatal hypothyroidism, may contribute to the development of hypothyroidism and possibly to the remission of hyperthyroidism. Graves' disease is one of the receptor antibody diseases (Fig. 17.12).
