• Toxic diffuse goiter

• Basedow’s disease

• Exophthalmic goiter

• Autoimmune hyperthyroidism

• Thyrotoxicosis (when referring to overactive thyroid symptoms, not always specific to Graves’)

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition where your immune system attacks your thyroid.
This causes your thyroid to become overactive and produce too much thyroid hormone.

Thyroid hormones control your energy, metabolism, body temperature, and more.
When levels are too high, it can affect your heart, muscles, brain, and mood.

In Graves’ disease, your body creates antibodies that stimulate the thyroid by mistake.

This leads to a constant “on” signal—keeping your thyroid in overdrive.

• Rapid heartbeat or palpitations

• Anxiety or nervousness

• Trouble sleeping

• Weight loss without trying

• Increased appetite

• Tremors (shaky hands or fingers)

• Heat sensitivity or sweating

• Fatigue or muscle weakness

• Frequent bowel movements

• Irregular or light menstrual periods

• Eye problems (bulging eyes, dryness, irritation)

• Thinning hair or hair loss

• Enlarged thyroid (goiter)

• Mood swings or irritability

• Brain fog or trouble concentrating
  
  

Symptoms vary from person to person.
Some people notice symptoms slowly over time. Others experience sudden changes.

• Most common in women between the ages of 20 and 50

• Affects women 5 to 10 times more often than men

• Often runs in families with other autoimmune conditions

• Risk increases if you have a relative with Graves’ or thyroid disease

• May develop after major stress, illness, or pregnancy

• More likely in people with other autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes or celiac disease

• Can also affect children and older adults, though less commonly

Graves’ disease often begins with a genetic predisposition.
That means certain genes may increase your risk—but don’t guarantee you’ll get it.

Environmental and lifestyle triggers can activate that risk, such as:

• Viral infections

• Major emotional or physical stress

• Exposure to mold or mycotoxins

• Smoking (linked to more severe eye symptoms)

• Hormonal changes (pregnancy, postpartum, menopause)

• Iodine excess from supplements or diet

• Gut microbiome imbalances

• Nutritional gaps (especially vitamin D, selenium)

Your body’s immune response is shaped by both your DNA and your environment.
Understanding both can help you regain balance.

Graves’ disease is usually diagnosed through a combination of:

• Blood tests to measure thyroid hormone (T3, T4) and TSH levels

• Antibody tests to detect TSI (thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins)

• Radioactive iodine uptake scan to see how active your thyroid is

• Ultrasound to look at the size and structure of your thyroid

• Eye exams if you have vision or eye changes
  

  Diagnosis isn’t always quick.
  Some people go months or years without clear answers—especially when symptoms mimic anxiety or other conditions.

Silver Gene testing helps by revealing:

• Genetic patterns tied to thyroid autoimmunity

• Environmental sensitivity markers (like mold or infection responses)

• Deeper risk factors often missed in standard labs

SNPs are tiny variations in your DNA that may affect how your body works.
Some SNPs are linked to a higher chance of developing Graves’ disease.

• SNP ID: rs179247
  Gene: TSHR
  Risk Allele: A
  Effect: May increase immune system targeting of the thyroid receptor
  Notes: Strongly associated with Graves’ disease in multiple populations
  
  

• SNP ID: rs3087243
  Gene: CTLA-4
  Risk Allele: G
  Effect: May reduce immune system regulation
  Notes: Seen in people with Graves’ and other autoimmune diseases
  
  

• SNP ID: rs2476601
  Gene: PTPN22 (R620W)
  Risk Allele: T
  Effect: May increase immune reactivity
  Notes: Common in many autoimmune disorders including Graves’, RA, and type 1 diabetes
  
  

• SNP ID: rs3184504
  Gene: SH2B3
  Risk Allele: T
  Effect: Alters immune signaling pathways
  Notes: Appears in autoimmune clusters; requires further research in Graves’
  
  

These SNPs do not confirm the disease.
They simply help explain immune system patterns that may increase risk.

Your immune system depends on a balance of instructions (genes), helpers (enzymes), and messengers (cytokines).
In Graves’ disease, certain parts of this system may not function as intended.

Genes (Instructions)

• TSHR – Produces the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor. Autoantibodies in Graves’ disease target this receptor, overstimulating your thyroid.

• CTLA-4 – Helps regulate T-cell activation. Variants may reduce immune system “brakes,” allowing attacks on the thyroid.

• PTPN22 (R620W) – Affects immune cell signaling. Known to raise risk for many autoimmune diseases, including Graves’.

• SH2B3 – Influences how immune cells respond to signals. May contribute to immune overactivation in the thyroid.

Enzymes (Helpers)

• Caspase-8 – Controls cell death and inflammation. Disruptions may affect how thyroid cells respond to immune attack.

• JNK – Regulates stress and inflammatory signaling in cells. Can amplify autoimmune reactions.

Cytokines (Messengers)

• IL-1β – A powerful inflammation signal. May drive thyroid tissue damage and worsen symptoms.

• IL-18 – Works with IL-1β to promote autoimmune activity.

• Pyroptosis – A form of inflammatory cell death that can release more immune signals and worsen thyroid overactivity.

Graves’ disease shares immune features with other autoimmune disorders.
Several immune pathways may become overactive or misdirected.

• T-cell signaling: CTLA-4 and PTPN22 influence how T-cells recognize and attack tissue

• Cytokine signaling: IL-1β and IL-18 help drive inflammation across many autoimmune diseases

• Stress response pathways: JNK and Caspase-8 can escalate immune activation in response to stress or cell injury

• Immune tolerance loss: FOXP3 and related regulatory genes may play a role in the immune system failing to shut down attacks on the thyroid
  
  

These patterns may also be seen in lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes.
That’s why people with one autoimmune condition are at higher risk for others.

Graves’ disease often appears alongside other autoimmune or chronic conditions.
These may share genetic markers or immune triggers.

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – An autoimmune condition that causes underactive thyroid; some people swing between both

• Type 1 diabetes – Shares PTPN22 variants and immune system patterns

• Celiac disease – Linked through shared gut-immune pathways

• Rheumatoid arthritis – Commonly co-occurs in families with Graves’

• Vitiligo – Involves autoimmune targeting of skin pigment

• Addison’s disease – May occur in autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes
  

If you’ve been diagnosed with Graves’, it’s worth watching for signs of other autoimmune issues—especially if symptoms don’t fully improve.

Many people with Graves’ disease find relief by supporting their body in everyday ways.
Managing stress and reducing inflammation are key.

Supportive strategies may include:

• Eating a balanced, anti-inflammatory diet

• Avoiding excessive iodine and processed foods

• Getting enough rest and sleep

• Gentle movement or exercise (as tolerated)

• Limiting exposure to mold, chemicals, or smoke

• Supporting mental health through therapy, journaling, or calming routines

• Monitoring symptoms and labs regularly

• Talking with your provider about treatment options
  

Helpful questions to ask your provider:

• Could I have more than one thyroid condition?

• Should I be screened for other autoimmune diseases?

• How often should I check my thyroid levels?

• Are my symptoms related to my hormones or medications?

Talk to your healthcare provider before starting anything new.

Graves’ disease is complex—but your DNA can help explain what’s going on beneath the surface.

Silver Gene’s Silver Helix test can provide:

• A personalized map of SNPs tied to thyroid autoimmunity

• Insights into how your immune system reacts to stress, toxins, or infection

• Clues about why symptoms persist—even with treatment

• A clearer picture of how your genes and environment interact

If you’ve already been diagnosed, your report may help explain:

• Why certain medications don’t seem to work

• What lifestyle changes might match your biology

• Whether you’re at risk for other autoimmune conditions

We support—not replace—your medical care.
Our role is to help you and your provider make more informed decisions.

Graves’ disease is usually manageable, but it doesn’t go away on its own.
It’s considered a lifelong condition with possible flare-ups or remissions.

With treatment and support, most people live full, active lives.
Some respond well to medications that regulate thyroid function.
Others may choose long-term options like radioactive iodine or surgery.

Eye symptoms may continue even after thyroid levels are stable—especially in smokers.
Pregnancy, stress, or infection can trigger relapses.

Ongoing monitoring is important to catch changes early and adjust care as needed.

Silver Gene offers targeted wellness support through our Silver Fuel supplement line.
These supplements are chosen based on your personal DNA profile—designed to match the unique ways your immune system, detox pathways, and stress responses work.
They’re intended to support your care plan—not replace it—and are best used under provider guidance.

Can Graves’ disease go away on its own?

It rarely goes away completely without treatment, but symptoms can improve with the right support.

Is Graves’ disease genetic?
Yes. Certain genes—like TSHR, CTLA-4, and PTPN22—may increase your risk. But genes alone don’t cause it.

Can I still have Graves’ disease if my labs are normal?
It’s possible. Some people have symptoms before clear lab changes appear. That’s why genetic and environmental insights can help.

Is Graves’ the same as hyperthyroidism?
Graves’ disease is one cause of hyperthyroidism, but not the only one. Other conditions can also lead to an overactive thyroid.

Why aren’t my symptoms going away with treatment?
Your DNA might influence how your body responds to certain medications. Silver Gene can help uncover patterns that affect symptom control.

Can stress or trauma trigger Graves’ disease?
Yes. Stress is a known environmental trigger that can activate immune responses in genetically susceptible people.

What’s the difference between antibodies and symptoms?
Antibodies are part of your immune response. Symptoms are how your body reacts. You can have one without the other—especially early on.

Should I get genetic testing for Graves’ disease?
If you’ve been diagnosed—or if you have symptoms but no answers—genetic testing can help uncover deeper patterns.

Can Graves’ disease affect other parts of my body?
Yes. It can impact your heart, eyes, mood, muscles, and metabolism—even if your thyroid labs are “normal.”

How does Silver Gene help me understand my condition?
We show how your DNA and environment interact—revealing insights most lab tests miss.

Graves’ disease shares several immune-related genes with other autoimmune conditions.
This means you may be more likely to experience overlapping symptoms or develop additional autoimmune issues over time.

Conditions with shared genetic risk include:

• Type 1 diabetes
  Shares the PTPN22 (R620W) variant and similar immune activation patterns

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
  Involves TSHR and CTLA-4 pathways; some people transition between hyper- and hypothyroid phases

• Rheumatoid arthritis
  Also linked to CTLA-4 and PTPN22; inflammation may show up in different body systems

• Celiac disease
  Related to immune and gut pathways (FUT2 and others); can affect nutrient absorption and stress the thyroid

• Addison’s disease
  Shares immune signaling dysfunction and may co-occur in autoimmune polyglandular syndromes

Genetic testing can help you and your provider watch for patterns—especially if symptoms don’t fully improve or new ones appear.

You don’t have to keep guessing what your body needs. There’s a way to understand what’s driving your symptoms—and how your DNA and environment fit into the picture.

Graves’ disease is complicated, but you’re not alone. Whether you're newly diagnosed or still searching for answers, Silver Gene is here to help you make sense of it all.

Visit www.SilverGeneLLC.com to get your personalized report. Learn how your unique genetic makeup could guide your next step forward.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making medical decisions or starting any health-related plan.
Silver Gene, LLC does not replace the care of your doctor or specialist.

At Silver Gene, we believe in clarity, honesty, and putting you in control of your health journey.
We are not a medical provider—we are your support team.

Our core principles:

• We do not diagnose or treat
  Our reports are educational and designed to support—not replace—your medical care.

• Your data belongs to you
  We protect your privacy and never share your results without your permission.

• Every insight is evidence-based
  We only report on genes, enzymes, and cytokines supported by strong scientific research.

• No false promises
  We do not guarantee outcomes or cures. Every body is different, and every result must be interpreted in context.

• Transparency comes first
  We explain what we know—and what we don’t. We will never overstate certainty or mislead you.

Our goal is simple:
To help you and your provider make smarter, more informed decisions using your DNA as a guide.