[LaurelM]

#1067688

Hi Lucy,

They have identified the gene that ALL people with an autoimmune disease have (not just Graves patients). Only people with this gene are predisposed to an autoimmue disease. Having the gene does NOT necessarily mean that you will ever get an autoimmune disease. Many people who have the gene will never get an autoimmune disease. To actually go on to develop a disease, something else needs to trigger it. They are still trying to determine what these triggers may be an how it actually sets off disease. So far the theories include stress, homone fluctuations such as puberty, pregnancy/post-pregnancy, menopause, viruses, etc.

Even if there is not autoimmune thyroid disease in your family, you may find someone with allergies, MS, psorisis, etc.

I hope that helps.

Laurel

[Lucy]

#1018892

I was told that Graves is genetic, yet no one in my family has ever had it. I also read that it can be caused by radiation. I had over 10 x-rays on my sternum and clavicle and asked my endo if that could have been the cause. He said "no". Has anyone else contracted this disease without it being genetic?

[elf]

#1067689

Nobody in my family has had Graves, or even any thyroid problems. With changes in the environment that happened in the last 30 years or so, I would expect more autoimmune diseases appearing in people, as well as all kinds of other diseases. Some textbooks on Graves are outdated as they only stress genetic reason. The trigger for Graves is "trauma" – physical, psychological, or hormonal. Physical: a surgery for example. Some got TED just from sneezing having a cold. Psychological: dying relatives, relationship problems, economic stresses. Hormonal: puberty, pregnancy, menopause. I got my Graves during/because of pregnancies.

[Ski]

#1067690

The cause is at least two-fold ~ first must be the genetic component (a predisposition to autoimmune disease, which may NEVER have presented in prior generations, or may have shown up but remained undiagnosed ~ anyone have a "crazy" old auntie???), and second must be an environmental trigger, which triggers are still being investigated. Some classic triggers seem to be stress and hormonal changes in the body. Once the trigger activates the disease, the body begins making antibodies and we react ~ the antibodies are like a key that fits the lock in certain similar tissues in the thyroid, the orbits behind the eyes, and the skin on the front of our shins. Not everyone is affected in the same way, but once the antibodies have gone to work, then additional stress can elevate the antibody levels and thus increase symptoms.

I hope that helps!

[Lucy]

#1067691

Thanks Ski! You have been a great help.

[weninil]

#1067692

This topic has confirmed what I always believed. My sister and I both have graves,and have had stressful divorces. For both of us,it was like an overload of emotional intensity that we did not know how to come down from.. or just plain could not come down from. And then shortly after "whalla" , Graves disease! And yes Ski… We have a few "crazy old Aunts".. All on my Dad’s side.. Which is also riddled with OCD tendencies.I feel like I have been sentenced to this disease. I remember being a child and writing how I just wanted to "know" and "care" less…. It only got worse. It has been my belief that once my body kicked into the "flight or fight" state when my husband left, that my body wasn’t able to come back to center. I have lost my ability to express myself without struggling to find words.. think clearly.. This disease is torture!!

[Author]

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