What is Grave's Disease (GD)? Who gets GD? GD in Chilhood/Pregnancy Symptoms Laboratory Tests Treatment Options Alternative Med Radioiodine Ablation Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Graves' Ophthalmopathy aka Thyroid Eye Disease Subclinical Hyperthyroidism Subclinical Hypothyroidism Hashitoxicosis Goiter Lymphoma Other Autoimmune Diseases Environmental Causes Nutrient Deficiencies Provocative Links Favorite Links My Graves Disease Book My Articles on Suite 101 Sign My Guest Book View My Guest Book Contact Me About Me

Other Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmune diseases (ADs) include nearly 100 unrelated disorders that have one thing in common. They're all caused by an immune system defect or malfunction. ADs may be systemic, targeting various organs or they may be organ-specific, primarily targeting one organ although secondary organs may be involved. Graves'disease is an organ-specific disorder. In Graves' disease, thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI, stimulating TSH receptor antibodies) direct thyroid cells to produce excess thyroid hormone. These antibodies can also affect the eyes and skin, contributing to thyrid eye disease and Graves' ophthalmopathy (thyroid eye disease). My book, Autoimmune Diseases and Their Environmental Triggers was released in 2002 and focuses on the environmental triggers that trigger autoimmune diseases in people who have the genetic predisposition. Although 20 percent of the population have genes that predispose them to autoimmune disease, less than 5 percent of the population develop these disorders. Autoimmune diseases develop in individuals who have certain immune system genes. In man, these genes, known as Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) are found on chromosome 6. HLA DR3, B8 and DQ1 are associated with Graves' disease. Many individuals have more than one autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders that often coexist with GD include gluten sensitivity, pernicious anemia, Sjogrens disease, systemic lupus, antiphospholipid disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, mixed connective tissue disease, chronic active hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The immune system changes that lead to autoimmune disease are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. That is, individuals with a certain combination of genes who are exposed to certain environmental factors, such as stress, estrogens and infectious agents, go on to develop autoimmune diseases. Symptoms in autoimmune disease typically wax and wane, and the predominant symptoms can change over time, confusing diagnosis. Periods of remission also frequently alternate with periods in which symptoms flare. See my articles on autoimmune diseases at suite 101. What exactly are Autoimmune Diseases? Elaine Moore's Autoimmune Disease Site at Suite 101 How Autoimmune Diseases Develop Drug Related Lupus and Graves' Disease This site is for educational purposes only and is not intented as a substitute for medical treatment. This is a private site. Visitor information is not shared with any other groups or organizations. Copyright 2004, Elaine Moore.