Graves' Disease

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Graves' Disease is not the name you expected.

Disorder Subdivisions

  • None

General Discussion

Graves' disease is a rare disease affecting the thyroid gland and often the skin and eyes. This disorder is characterized by abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter) and increased secretion of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). Symptoms of Graves' disease may include fatigue, weight loss, an abnormal intolerance of heat, muscle weakness, and protrusion or bulging of the eyeballs from their sockets. The exact cause of Graves' disease is not known, although an imbalance in the immune system is thought to play a role.

Supporting Organizations

American Autoimmune & Related Diseases

22100 Gratiot Ave.
Eastpointe, MI 48021
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
Tel: (800)598-4668
Email: aarda@aarda.org
Website: http://www.aarda.org/

AutoImmunity Community

Website: https://www.facebook.com/autoimmunityforum

European Society for Immunodeficiencies

1-3 rue de Chantepoulet
Geneva, CH 1211
Switzerland
Tel: 410229080484
Fax: 41229069140
Email: esid@kenes.com
Website: http://www.esid.org

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center

PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
Website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

Graves' Disease & Thyroid Foundation

P. O. Box 2793
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Tel: (877)643-3123
Fax: (877)643-3123
Tel: (877)643-3123
Email: info@gdatf.org
Website: http://www.gdatf.org/

Hormone Health Network Endocrine Society

2055 L Street NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202)971-3636
Fax: (202)736-9705
Tel: (888)363-6274
Email: hormone@endocrine.org
Website: http://www.hormone.org/

Thyroid Foundation of Canada

P.O. Box 298
Bath ON K0H 1G0,
Canada
Fax: 5146309815
Tel: 8002678822
Website: http://www.thyroid.ca

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

Last Updated:  5/7/2008
Copyright  2002 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.