Can anyone tell me what causes an overactive thyroid?
Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the UK. It is more likely to occur in women between the ages of 30 and 50. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease. This means that it’s caused by antibodies from your immune system attacking your body. In Graves’ disease, the antibodies mimic the activity of TSH, causing the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone, leading to hyperthyroid symptoms (see Symptoms). About one in 20 people with Graves’ disease also develop thyroid eye disease, also called Graves’ ophthalmopathy. This is when the muscles in your eyes and surrounding tissue swell up, giving the eyes a bulging appearance. Your eyes may become red and puffy, and, occasionally, it can lead to double vision or limited eyeball movement. Thyroid eye disease doesn’t always develop at exactly the same time as Graves’ disease. It can occur before or after it as well. You are more likely to get Graves’ disease if you have close relatives affected by it. Small l
