What is Graves’ Disease?

Graves’ disease, also called autoimmune hyperthyroidism, is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland by causing it to produce excessive levels of hormones. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in Western countries, responsible for 4 out of every 5 cases.^[1] Graves’ disease affects 1 in 200 people and occurs with 5–10 times higher frequency in women compared to men.^[2] People with Graves’ disease are also at increased risk for developing other autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes.^[3]