What is Graves thyroid disease?
The leading cause of hyperthyroidism (over active thyroid), Graves’ disease (Graves’), represents a basic defect in the immune system (autoimmune disease), causing production of immunoglobulins (antibodies) which stimulate and attack the thyroid gland, causing growth of the gland and overproduction of thyroid hormone. Similar antibodies may also attack the healthy tissues in the eye muscles and the pretibial skin (the frontal skin on the lower leg).
