[James]

#1063759

Hi Krystal,

According to some of the presenters at last years conference. Stress indeed is considered to be something that has a profound effect on our immune system and indeed is considered a suspected trigger. We have had numerous people over the years post about enduring hardships after the loss of a home or loved one with the subsequent diagnosis of Graves’ disease. There are definitely other suspected triggers but none quite as definitive as stress. Of course there has to be an underlying pre-disposition to the disease to begin with. In my particular Graves’ disease story, I suspect a supplement that I was taking was the trigger. After some research on the product, my suspicions were further raised, but could never be confirmed.

Impossible to get rid of stress in our lives, but a number of our posters have shared some great stress reducing techniques. This was also a topic covered at last years conference.

Hope you feel better soon.

James

[Krystal25]

#1018288

Hey everyone I just have a quick question as I am new to world of Graves Disease. Is it true that stress can cause GD? I have heard that stress alone can cause this thyroid condition? Any help on this matter would be much appreciated!!! I developed graves after starting a new job and having much added stress. I thought I was having a nervous breakdown and went to see my PD, who ran some lab test and diagnosed me with having hyperthyroidism. I then went to see and endo who diagnosed me with graves. I am just wondering how much stress plays a role in weather GD manifest itself of not. Meaning if I hadn’t gotten so stressed with my new job, would GD ever have come into my life??

Thanks so much for the continued support this forum is amazing!

-Krystal

[Ski]

#1063760

James touched on this, but I just wanted to further clarify ~ there is a genetic component to autoimmune conditions that must exist before anything can trigger the beginning of the disease process in us. There is a "defect" that doctors have found to be common in all patients with autoimmune diseases, and it is hereditary. Not every patient with the defect has an autoimmune disease, but every patient with an autoimmune disease has the defect. This means we have the predisposition within us, and then stress and/or other triggers can conspire to begin the disease process. That’s where the research is right now, to see if they can short circuit the beginning of the disease process, and if they can identify specific triggers. All very early on in the research process. Bottom line though, once the disease process has begun, we are ill, and there’s no going back. In addition, we are slightly more likely to present with a second autoimmune condition, so it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about that. Sometimes we attribute all "illness" symptoms to Graves’, when it could actually be another condition that we need to address in a different way.

[mamabear]

#1063761

Many years ago at a young age I was married, had a child and well leaving my ex caused a lot of stress, living with my parents again..even more stress! My job was stressful and I just didn’t want to do anything. I was quite ill after the birth of my first child, so ill that I lost a lot of weight and thought I have HyperT. I didn’t though.
The stress was hard and at the time I had a boyfriend who had to deal with these issues that I had as well. We wont get into all the details but lets just say I caused more stress by being 23 and not realizing he was "the one". I was raised in a not so great house so I had issues lol.
Still thyroid tests showed nothing wrong.

A few years later I wound up getting the Flu, never had it before at least to my knowledge and 3 months later was said to have Graves’ disease. The flu was my "trigger" the stress wasn’t. Everyone is different though. I do avoid stress and I do avoid getting sick at all costs… with 4kids that’s a bit hard but I do well with proper heigene and hand washing for everyone who comes into my home.

15 years later, I’m 37 married to that man I didn’t think would happen and have 4 great kids! It’s a long haul, fight for your life back… take baby steps it will happen…. When you feel you’ve hit rock bottom…vent on here and we’ll help you back up on your feet.

[snelsen]

#1063762

There is no evidence based research on this subject at this time.

I imagine the stresses of job, relationships. finances, family, illness, small children, occur to the entire population.
When someone with Graves’ experiences one of these stressors, then "gets" Graves’ for the first time, or has a recurrence,
he/she may feel that there is a causative factor, or relationship between the two events. There is nothing wrong with thinking that as a personal opinion based on your own experience. But without blinded studies, and legitimate research to support it,
this remains the personal experience of individuals, which cannot be generalized to the Graves’ population as a whole.

The same facts apply to diet and food. Aside from kelp and seaweed, there is no evidenced based research to radically change and/or eliminate foods from your diet BECAUSE a person has Graves’.

Of course, avoiding stress when possible, identifying the causes and decreasing them if possible, is good for any person.
Same with eating a healthy and well balanced diet. However, there is no solid research to say that either subject will alter the course of Graves’.

Since these posts are to be based on our own experience, I am here to tell you that I have had Graves’ for many decades,
have had ALL the stressors listed above, I eat anything I want (except kelp and seaweed, which I had never thought about one way or the other.) In my little study of one person, myself, I did not experience any relationship of anything to anything.
One caveat, though. After I had the initial onset of Graves’, it was EXTREMELY stressful! At the onset of TED, several decades later, I had no stressors. But I sure found TEd stressful.
Shirley

[Ellen_B]

#1063763

Hi Krystal,
It is definitely known that there is a genetic factor. The genetic factor is responsible for the production of antibodies which causes Graves’ disease. I don’t believe the gene has been identified yet. The proof of a genetic factor has been found in identical twins. If one twin develops Graves’ disease there is a 30% to 60% chance that the other twin will get it. It seems with or without stress Graves’ disease will surface. I have yet to hear a good answer to the question why we don’t enter the world with Graves’ disease if it is in our genetic makeup. Why does the Graves’ disease wait long after we are born –sometimes a very long time to make its appearance? Next question: If triggers are sometimes responsible for the time of onset, what are they and can they be avoided? For now the answers to these questions must be put off into the future.
Please continue to let us know your progress. I hope you start to feel better very soon.
Ellen Brightly
Administrative Assistant
Graves’ Disease Foundation
400 International Drive
Williamsville NY 14221
Toll-free — (877) 643-3123
Email: Gravesdiseasefd@gmail.com
Website: http://www.NGDF.org

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