Solutions to the 6 Biggest Challenges of Living With Graves’ Disease

The thyroid gland may be small, but when it’s working in overdrive, such as what happens with Graves’ disease, it can cause a cascade of physical and emotional effects, including conditions such as heart problems and anxiety.

“People are surprised just how powerful the thyroid is,” says Caroline Messer, MD, an endocrinologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, in New York City.

Because the symptoms of Graves’ disease and its related conditions can flare up repeatedly, you may find yourself dealing with a variety of physical and emotional challenges. Here are six common problems related to Graves’ disease, and what you can do to fix them.

1. Sleep Problems

2. Persistent Fatigue

In addition to insomnia, there’s another reason that Graves’ disease can lead to constant exhaustion: The disorder speeds up the metabolism and uses up a lot of energy, notes Messer. “It’s like you’re revved up all the time,” she says. “Chronic anxiety can make you tired, and it’s the same thing with hyperthyroidism.”

3. Mood Issues

Patients often have trouble with concentration as well, says Messer, who notes that sometimes her initial visit with a patient is difficult because they’re experiencing brain fog and often can’t focus and fully internalize the information she’s sharing with them.

What You Can Do Getting your thyroid hormone levels under control should help improve some of the emotional and cognitive issues you may be facing, says Messer: “It’s like the brain is on fire from the hyperthyroidism; but when we get the thyroid under control, they’ll often say, ‘Okay I’m back to feeling like myself, I can focus again,’” she says.

In the meantime, if your symptoms flare back up, ask your endocrinologist whether using an antidepressant may also be helpful, at least in the short-term, advises Messer. Talking with a therapist or joining a support group may also help, along with practicing relaxation or mindfulness techniques like yoga and meditation.

4. Eye Complications

Before addressing eye symptoms, though, your doctor will likely try to bring your thyroid hormone levels toward normal, which will help improve many of the TED symptoms, says Messer. “The best thing to do is wait until the eyes stabilize before you make a decision about whether they need to be treated,” she says.

5. Heart Problems

Cardiovascular conditions such as atrial fibrillation and irregular heartbeats are increased with Graves’ disease, notes Messer. “That’s because everything — especially your heart rate — is sped up with hyperthyroidism,” she says. In more serious cases, the disease can also contribute to abnormal heart rhythms and conditions like stroke and heart disease.

6. Osteoporosis and Bone Fractures

How your doctor addresses your bone loss depends in large part on your age, says Messer. “People under 30 are still building bone density, so if we find the problem and fix it, then usually the bones will just heal themselves,” she says. If you’re older and have experienced significant bone loss, and it doesn’t improve after treating the hyperthyroidism, your endocrinologist will likely recommend osteoporosis medications.

The Takeaway

• Graves’ disease causes excessive production of the thyroid hormone, which can lead to a range of physical and emotional symptoms and challenges.
• Some of these challenges can include sleep problems and cardiovascular issues, as well as depression and other mental and emotional health effects.
• Many of these challenges can be overcome by treating hyperthyroidism, but lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, can also help.