The thyroid gland produces hormones that are necessary for essential bodily functions, such as metabolism. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid to produce and release a larger volume of these hormones. This can lead to symptoms like:
Certain people have a higher risk of developing Graves’ disease than others. This includes people in certain age groups.
It’s worth noting that people of all ages can experience Graves’ disease. In fact, it’s possible for the autoimmune condition to occur in childhood. However, the disorder most often affects people aged 30 through 50. While hyperthyroidism has other causes, it most often occurs due to Graves’ disease.
Age is not the only risk factor to consider when it comes to this thyroid condition. People with other autoimmune disorders, such as lupus or type 1 diabetes, have a greater chance of developing Graves’ disease. There’s also a genetic link, which means that people with a family history of the disorder have a higher risk.
While there’s not much a person can do about these factors, smoking cigarettes can also increase a person’s risk. If you smoke and are affected by other Graves’ risk factors, talk to your doctor about effective cessation methods.