Graves' disease is commonly seen in young and middle-aged people Graves' disease is a common form of hyperthyroidism in which thyroid hormones are produced in excessive amounts. Like other thyroid disorders, women are more susceptible to Graves' disease and are about four times more likely to be affected than men. However, as thyroid disorders in general are nine times more likely to develop in women, Graves' disease can affect a relatively larger number of men than other thyroid disorders. For more than half of all patients with Graves' disease, the onset of the disease occurs when patients are in their 20s or 30s. The next most frequent age group is people in their 40s and 50s. Thus, Graves' disease commonly develops in young and middle-aged people.

In Japan, Graves' disease is called Basedow's disease. This is because modern Japanese medicine was derived and established from German medicine and the disease was named after German doctor Carl Adolph von Basedow, who reported the disease in 1840. Outside German-speaking countries, however, the disease was named after a British doctor and is referred to as Graves' disease.

Graves' disease is an "autoimmune" disease

Graves' disease is a disorder in which the function of the thyroid gland becomes overactive and thyroid hormones are produced in excessive amounts. What, then, causes this abnormality?
The abnormality is caused by a dysfunction of the immune system. The immune system is an indispensable mechanism that fights against foreign substances in the body and keeps us healthy. Sometimes, however infrequently, it can produce antibodies that attack the body's own tissue. This condition is called an "autoimmune disease," and Graves' disease is one such disease.
If you are affected by Graves' disease, the body produces antibodies that abnormally stimulate the thyroid gland. These antibodies stimulate the thyroid gland instead of thyroid-stimulating hormone, inducing the secretion of more and more thyroid hormones. Unlike the thyroid-stimulating hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, these antibodies stimulate the thyroid gland without a break.
Autoimmunity can also cause other disorders such as chronic rheumatism and collagen disease. In any case, the reason why the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissue is unknown. In Graves' disease, however, about 15% of patients have a parent or sibling who suffers from the same disorder and therefore it is likely that genetic factors are somewhat involved in the onset of the disease.
There is no need to be pessimistic, however. It may be difficult to cure Graves' disease because it results from unknown causes. However, the symptoms particular to Graves' disease appear as a result of excessively high thyroid hormone levels in the blood. If thyroid hormone levels in the blood can be controlled properly, you can lead a normal life. The treatments available at present offer several ways to control your hormone levels properly. Accordingly, if you undergo appropriate treatment, you can lead a healthy, active life.