Which is worse Graves disease or Hashimoto's?

While both produce many clinical symptoms and side effects, Graves' disease is more dangerous clinically and requires surgery in a larger percentage of patients with the disorder. Medical management of Graves' and Hashimoto's is paramount, and in some cases, all that is needed.

Can Hashimoto's turn into Graves disease?

On rare occasions, there can be a transition from Hashimoto's to Graves' disease. However, there are no reported cases of transition from Hashimoto's to Graves' disease triggered by the onset of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Case presentation.

Is Hashimoto disease the same as Graves disease?

Both Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease are autoimmune disorders that result when antibodies from your immune system begin to attack the thyroid. The differing antibodies have opposite effects on the gland, however. While Hashimoto's causes the thyroid to become underactive, Graves' makes it overactive.

Can you have both Hashimoto's and Graves?

Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis can coexist in the same individual, reflecting their common autoimmune origin. Simultaneous occurrence of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis can result in clinical masking of one disorder by the other.

Is Graves disease a serious illness?

If left untreated, Graves' disease can lead to heart rhythm disorders, changes in the structure and function of the heart muscles, and the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to the body (heart failure).

Hashimoto's vs. Graves' Disease (11/25/2012 QOTD)

Why did I get Graves disease?

Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is due to an abnormal immune system response that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone. Graves disease is most common in women over age 20. But the disorder can occur at any age and can affect men as well.

Can you fully recover from Graves disease?

Taken into account the above reviewed literature, permanent cure of Graves' hyperthyroidism is possible albeit at a low rate of about 27% (Fig. 2). The cure rate would be even lower if cure also supposes the absence of TSH receptor antibodies.

Will Hashimoto's eventually destroy my thyroid?

The disorder causes the body's immune system to produce antibodies that attack thyroid tissue and eventually destroy the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism, or the underproduction of thyroid hormone.

What other diseases can Hashimoto's lead to?

Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. Rarely, the disease can cause hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. Thyroid hormones control how your body uses energy, so they affect nearly every organ in your body—even the way your heart beats.

Why is Hashimoto's getting worse?

Several different things can interfere with your thyroid function or levothyroxine treatment and trigger a flare-up of Hashimoto's disease, including: Some medications or supplements. Certain dietary nutrients. High stress levels.

How serious is Hashimoto's disease?

If Hashimoto's is left untreated, complications can be life-threatening. Because the hormones produced by the thyroid are so vital to the body's functions, untreated Hashimoto's can lead to serious and even life-threatening complications.

Is hyperthyroidism worse than hypothyroidism?

Neither is worse than the other. Both can lead to death in the most severe cases. However, hypothyroidism is 5 times more common than hyperthyroidism. In severe cases, hypothyroidism can lead to heart disease and myxedema coma, both of which can lead to death.

Does Hashimoto's disease qualify for disability?

Hashimoto's Disease is not included in the SSA's listing of conditions that qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Even though it is not considered a disability by the SSA, if you have Hashimoto's Disease and it affects your ability to work full time, you could qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

What organs are affected by Hashimoto's disease?

Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck just below the Adam's apple. The thyroid produces hormones that help regulate many functions in the body.

Can Hashimoto's affect the brain?

Hashimoto's disease is not only a thyroid disease. This autoimmune disease often affects your brain. Many individuals with this disease still suffer with brain-related symptoms even when their thyroid hormone levels are optimal. Your symptoms may not be related to your levels of thyroid hormone at all.

Is Hashimoto's hard to live with?

Living with Hashimoto's disease can be difficult due to its unpleasant signs and symptoms. Some studies² indicate that people with Hashimoto's are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. Signs and symptoms of Hashimoto's disease include: Depression.

What does an endocrinologist do for Hashimoto's?

Your endocrinologist or thyroidologist may work with your primary care doctor to manage your condition. For example, if your primary care doctor refers you to an endocrinologist for a diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease, the endocrinologist may find the right dosage of thyroid hormone replacement for you.

Is Hashimoto's a big deal?

Hashimoto's is not as scary as it sounds.

“In reality, Hashimoto's is a benign, highly treatable condition,” stresses Dr. Kellis. “Taking thyroid supplements will improve most of your symptoms, and most people do quite well on them.”

What can be misdiagnosed as Hashimoto's?

What is end stage Hashimoto's?

Overt hypothyroidism or full-blown disease

The end-stage of Hashimoto's is when your thyroid has become so damaged that you no longer have enough thyroid hormones and have to go on medication.

What is the final outcome of Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's disease can lead to hypothyroidism, when the thyroid gland is affected and gradually stops producing enough hormones to keep the body working properly.

How quickly does Hashimoto progress?

In some people, this inflammation of the thyroid can cause it to becomes enlarged (called goiter) and in others, the gland can shrink down. The hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto disease progresses slowly over months to years.

What should you not do if you have Graves disease?

In addition to managing stress, it is essential for people with Graves' disease to refrain from smoking. It not only increases the risk of Graves' disease but can also aggravate symptoms and increase the risk of an eye condition known as Graves' ophthalmopathy (also known as thyroid eye disease).

Will I always have Graves disease?

Graves' disease is a lifelong (chronic) condition. However, treatments can keep your thyroid hormone levels in check. Medical care may even make the disease temporarily go away (remission).

What can you not do with Graves disease?

What to Limit When You Have Graves' Disease. Caffeine: Foods that contain caffeine—coffee, soda, tea, and chocolate—can aggravate Graves' disease symptoms, such as anxiety, nervousness, rapid heart rate, and weight loss.