[George]

#1058668

I was just wondering if you knew if Graves’ could be triggered by psychological stress? I had been diagnosed with Graves Disease a year ago,I have been working as a school teacher (I teach 7 to 9 years of age)for over 4 year and a half now.I can say that my line of work is stressfull because teaching children on that age is really challenging.About a month ago I started to have familiar symptoms and was diagnosed with flare-up of Graves.I was wondering if there is a possible connection and what is the most possible way to deal with it.

[Ski]

#1169273

Hello George,

You don’t mention where you are with treatment, but I presume that you have been treated with anti-thyroid drugs? Please fill us in on that when you have a minute.

The short answer to your question is YES, stress can cause a spike in Graves’ Disease hyperthyroid symptoms.

Here’s the connection. When we are under stress (good or bad, so count getting married, having a baby, or moving to Paradise), our immune system is stimulated, as a protective measure, since the immune system protects us from disease, and stressful circumstances can serve to make us vulnerable.

The difference with Graves’ patients (and anyone with an autoimmune disease) is that we have some antibodies within the immune system that serve to attack us, instead of protect us. Because of that, when we are under stress, and our immune system is stimulated, these damaging antibodies are also stimulated, so the symptoms of our autoimmune disease can "spike" during those times.

The best thing to do is get blood tests to confirm whether you’ve got hyperthyroid levels, and if so, speak with your doctor about your options. If you are currently taking ATDs, a simple dose adjustment may help get you back to normal.

If you have had your thyroid removed, either through RAI or surgery, it shouldn’t be affected by the antibodies (since it’s not there), but in some cases a tiny amount of active tissue remains that can respond to antibodies.

Do you currently have regular blood draws and appointments with your endocrinologist?

[Nat82]

#1169274

Hey There:
I was diagnosed with GD at age 12 (full thyroidectomy at 15) and the doc’s at Walter Reed Army hospital were pretty sure that it "became active" because of the stress in my life at the time (you’d be amazed at what a child can endure). In my case this disease isn’t hereditary, at least until I came along and will most likely pass on, but I was told it can also show itself if you’re an extreme dieter, which I wasn’t (cause I was 12!) ” title=”Very Happy” />
In any case, since my 19 years of having GD, it’s always been stress that has caused me to have changes in relation to hyper/hypo.

Nat

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