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WHAT IS EXOPHTHALMIC GOITRE?

Graves disease, also called toxic diffuse goitre or exophthalmic goitre,  endocrine disorder that is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism (excess secretion of thyroid hormone) and thyrotoxicosis (effects of excess thyroid hormone action in tissue). In Graves disease the excessive secretion of thyroid hormone is accompanied by diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland (diffuse goitre). The thyroid gland may be slightly enlarged or several times its normal size. The increased thyroid hormone production results in the symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism. Some patients also experience exophthalmos (protrusion of the eyes), with eyelid retraction, edema of tissues surrounding the eyes, double vision, and occasionally loss of vision, all of which are symptoms of a condition known as Graves ophthalmopathy. It is a auto immune disease.


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