Graves' Disease and the Non-Genetic Factors

As an autoimmune disease, Graves' disease is a complication affecting almost ten times the number of women than men. As a condition that strikes in early to mid adulthood, generally between ages 20 to 40, individuals who suffer from Graves' disease are often caught off guard by the overwhelming severity of the complications associated with the disease.

With the autoimmune response of Graves' disease, the individual suffering from complications will usually experience extreme complications associated with the thyroid gland but also complication of the musculature, eyes and even skin. Because the symptoms and complications are very erratic, healthcare professionals often struggle to offer the perfect solution or treatment plan.

In part, the treatment plan and course of symptoms is so complex because Graves' disease is believed to originate from both genetic and non-genetic origins. Because there are several genes involved in the development of Graves' disease, healthcare professionals often find great difficulty in pinpointing, exactly, which gene is responsible for the production of Graves' disease in each individual and, therefore, can not tailor a health program accordingly. In other words, if a particular gene defect produces Graves' disease in one individual, it will not necessarily produce Graves' disease in another. But yet, other individuals may suffer from Graves' disease from a completely different gene defect.

To compound the complexity of this autoimmune disorder, the individual who suffers from Graves' disease will also commonly suffer from complications of the disorder in response to environmental factors. Such environmental factors might include stress, excessive exposure to nutritional iodine, excessive alcohol intake, heat stroke and even those involved in the use of hormone or steroid use.

As with any autoimmune condition, the key to optimal health outcomes lies in the early detection and intervention with treatment. Because Graves' disease poses a great challenge, due to its origins both genetically and environmentally, the individual who suffers from this autoimmune disease must establish a solid relationship with a healthcare team of professionals who are experienced in treating this complex condition and, as a result, can adapt and modify the treatment plan accordingly.