Graves' disease is the cause of about 50% to 80% of the cases of hyperthyroidism in the United States. Other causes include multinodular goiter, toxic adenoma, inflammation of the thyroid, eating too much iodine, and too much synthetic thyroid hormone. A less common cause is a pituitary adenoma. The diagnosis may be suspected based on signs and symptoms and then confirmed with blood tests. Typically blood tests show a low thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and raised T3 or T4. Radioiodine uptake by the thyroid, thyroid scan, and measurement of antithyroid autoantibodies (thyroidal thyrotropin receptor antibodies are positive in Graves disease) may help determine the cause.
Graves' disease is the cause of about 50% to 80% of the cases of hyperthyroidism in the United States Other causes include multinodular goiter toxic adenoma inflammation of the thyroid eating too much iodine and too much synthetic thyroid hormone A less common cause is a pituitary adenoma The diagnosis may be suspected based on signs and symptoms and then confirmed with blood tests Typically blood tests show a low thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and raised T3 or T4 Radioiodine uptake by the thyroid thyroid scan and measurement of antithyroid autoantibodies (thyroidal thyrotropin receptor antibodies are positive in Graves disease) may help determine the cause