GRAVE’S DISEASE By: Trevor Brighton

QUICK OVERVIEW  Grave’s disease is a thyroid gland disorder which causes the accelerated production of the thyroid hormones known as Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine. This condition is called hyperthyroidism which can and will affect the normal functions of the hormones. It’s most common symptoms are, eye irritation and swelling, dryness of skin, insomnia, goiters, hyperactivity and over all abnormal mental behavior.

NORMAL THYROID ACTIVITY  The pituitary gland releases Thyroid stimulating hormones(or TSH for short) which go on to attach themselves to a Thyroid cell receptor which signals the cell to begin producing the 2 thyroid borne hormones(Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine). This production is regulated and once the right amount

NORMAL THYROID ACTIVITY CONT’D.  of the hormones are made, some of it goes back to the pituitary gland as a negative feedback signal. Once that happens the gland shuts off the Thyroid stimulating hormones.

NORMAL THYROID ACTIVITY ANIMATION

GRAVE’S DISEASE AFFECTED THYROID ACTIVITY Thyroid activity with Grave’s Disease doesn’t even involve the pituitary gland, an auto-antibody attaches itself to the receptor of the thyroid cell and triggers the cell to begin producing the hormones only now since there is no system of negative feedback the production is unregulated and thus leads to a huge excess of the hormones which is again known as hyperthyroidism.

GRAVE’S DISEASE AFFECTED THYROID ACTIVITY ANIMATION