Why do I have Graves' disease?
When it comes to thyroid health, there is a lot less out there when it comes to hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease. This includes why Graves’ disease develops, as well as what you can do to address it.
If you’ve ever wondered why you have Graves’, I’ve got the answers for you.
What causes hyperthyroidism and Graves’?
What causes a thyroid to become overactive in the first place? There are a few potential reasons.
The top cause is autoimmunity. Graves’ disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism. However, some people may also experience hyperthyroidism as a temporary side effect of inflammation in Hashimoto’s.
Others may develop nodules or lumps in the thyroid, which can be linked to autoimmunity, inflammation and even iodine deficiency. Pregnancy and viral infections can also lead to an overactive thyroid.
But if Grave’s is autoimmune in nature, this raises the question - what causes autoimmunity in the first place? Why would the immune system start attacking its own gland? This is where the contributing factors within the diet and lifestyle come into play. Many of them are triggers for autoimmunity.
What are the risk factors for Graves’ disease?
As it is autoimmune in nature, there are countless risk factors for Graves’ - but in my experience, there are 3 big ones I see in the clinic:
Inflammation – this can contribute to autoimmunity and gut health issues
Nutrient deficiencies – without key nutrients such as iodine, selenium, zinc and tyrosine, the thyroid cannot function properly and can become overactive
Impaired gut health - this feeds into nutrient deficiencies, inflammation and autoimmunity
Once you add these in with other factors such as:
Genetics
Poor diet
Food and environmental intolerances
Environmental pollutants
Chronic and/or extreme stress
Poor sleep
Chronic disease
Other autoimmune conditions such as Coeliac disease
- it becomes a perfect storm, and the body starts to attack the thyroid.
You are also at a higher risk of Graves’ if you are under 40, female and/or have a family member with Graves’.
The exact reason why you developed Graves’ disease is unique to you. I recommend working with a health practitioner so that they can help uncover your specific contributing factors.
Is there anything I can do for my Graves’ aside from medication?
Many people are told to take anti-thyroid drugs. Around 50% of people with Graves’ don’t respond to drug therapy, so they are offered radioactive iodine or surgery to remove the thyroid. At this stage, the only way that doctors know to manage Graves’ is to induce hypothyroidism long-term - so you switch one condition for another!
The good news is there is plenty you can do to support your thyroid health without damaging it!
What you eat and drink, how you manage your stress and move your body, and even the daily products you use can all make a difference.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Graves’ and don’t know what to do, you’re not alone. I’ve put together a handy guide to help you understand why your thyroid is overactive and what you can do about it.
Grab your copy of the Hyperthyroidism & Graves’ diseases ebook here.