Diagnosis of Graves’ disease

Graves’ disease is caused due to an overactive thyroid gland commonly due to an autoimmune condition.

The thyroid gland here is the target tissue that is attacked by the body’s own defence cells – the B and T lymphocytes. These cells produce antibodies against the thyroid proteins and receptors that stimulate the gland to secrete increased amounts of the thyroid hormones like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

Diagnosis of Graves’ disease may be made by estimating the various biochemical and hormonal patterns in blood as well as by laboratory investigations.

Diagnosis of Graves’ disease may involve family history, physical examination, blood examination and so forth. 1-6

Family history of autoimmune disorders

History of similar conditions may be found in the family since there seems to be a genetic link between Graves’ disease causation. Often the patient or his or her family members may have other autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis or pernicious anemia

Age and sex

Patient is more often than not a female between ages 20 to 40. This is the most common age that is affected. Women are five to ten times more likely to get Graves’ disease than men.

Physical examination

Physical examination shows characteristic signs of hyperthyroidism, ophthalmopathy or eye affliction and skin conditions associated with hyperthyroidism.

Blood examination

Blood examination shows that there is a low Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level. This hormone normally stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones. In addition, normally when the thyroid gland secretes the hormones, the levels of TSH subside to reduce further stimulation of the thyroid gland.

A low or suppressed TSH must be accompanied by a high level of free thyroxine (FT4) level to confirm hyperthyroidism. In around 10% individuals there may be an increased total or free T3 level along with a normal FT4 and suppressed TSH level. This latter condition is called “T3 toxicosis.”

Blood may be assessed to measure the levels of TSH receptor antibody. Since Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease, the B and T lymphocytes are found to secrete antibodies against the TSH receptor.

When activated by binding of these antibodies this receptor stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4. Thus a high level of TSH receptor antibody helps to confirm Graves’ disease

Other antibodies like those to thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase may be present in blood but these are not diagnostic of Graves’ disease.

24-hour radioiodine uptake

Confirmation of Graves’ disease is made by an increased 24-hour radioiodine uptake (RAIU). Here the patient is given radioactive iodine preparations and subjected to special scans.

The scans reveal areas of the thyroid gland that are most active and produce maximum T3 and T4. The scans may also reveal thyroid cancers, tumors or nodules. The high uptake areas are termed “hot” and the low uptake areas are termed “cold”.

Ultrasonography

An ultrasonography is recommended in some individuals. This helps in detection of cycts, tumors and nodules of the thyroid gland.

If a nodule or cyst is detected the next step is usually a fine-needle aspiration biopsy to confirm if there is cancer.

CT or MRI scanning of the eyeballs

In patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy or eye condition a CT or MRI scanning of the eye balls shows swelling of the eye muscles and excess fat deposits behind the eyeballs.

Diagnostic features of Graves’ disease

Patients with a diffuse, patchy uptake with some hot and some cold spots over the thyroid along with elevated, circulating TSH receptor antibody have a confirmed diagnosis of Graves’ disease.

Elderly patients with Graves’ disease may also have lower radioiodine uptake since there may be previous presence of a multinodular goitre.

Routine blood test shows anemia and a low white blood cell count and low platelets. There may be a higher level of lymphocytes and monocytes in some patients.

Routine blood biochemistry shows:

• decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• reduced free testosterone
• increased sex hormone-binding globulin
• reduced parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels
• decreased cortisol levels
• raised HbA1_c showing worsening control of blood sugar etc.

The liver function tests may be deranged if there are drugs that are causing liver toxicity along with clinical features of hyperthyroidism.

Ruling out other diseases

While diagnosis Graves’ disease other conditions that may have similar symptoms should be ruled out. These include:

• anxiety disorders
• depression
• Hashimoto’s thyroidisits
• Pheochromocytoma
• pituitary tumors
• papillary thyroid carcinoma
• toxic thyroid adenoma
• drug abuse such as cocaine, amphetamines or stimulant drugs
• heart disease
• colon cancer
• use of drugs with side effects like Amiodarone, thyroxine etc.

Further Reading

• All Graves' Disease Content
• Graves’ disease – What is Graves’ disease?
• Causes of Graves’ disease
• Symptoms of Graves’ disease
• Treatment of Graves’ disease

Written by

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Dr. Ananya Mandal is a doctor by profession, lecturer by vocation and a medical writer by passion. She specialized in Clinical Pharmacology after her bachelor's (MBBS). For her, health communication is not just writing complicated reviews for professionals but making medical knowledge understandable and available to the general public as well.