Graves’ Disease: Causes

Pathogenesis (disease development)

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that is clustered in people with HLA-DR3. The disease is often associated with other autoimmune diseases (type 1 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, Addison’s disease).

Graves’ disease is caused by autoantibodies produced against the TSH receptor (TRAK) of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). This permanently stimulates (excites) the receptors, leading to an imitation of the action of the thyroid hormone TSH. This in turn leads to increased production of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4, and at the same time there is a growth stimulus to the thyroid gland (→ indolent (“painless”), diffuse goiter).

Etiology (causes)

Biographic causes

  • Genetic burden from parents, grandparents
    • Genetic risk depending on gene polymorphisms:
      • Genes/SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism):
        • Genes: IL23R
        • SNP: rs10889677 in the gene IL23R
          • Allele constellation: AC (2.0-fold).
          • Allele constellation: CC (2.3-fold)
  • Hormonal factors -.postpartum period (time after the birth of a child).

Behavioral causes

  • Nutrition
    • High iodine intake
  • Consumption of stimulants
    • Tobacco (smoking)
  • Psycho-social situation
    • Stress

Medication