Graves' Disease
Meet your new thyroid buddy! Our Graves’ Disease plush offers a fun and educational way to explore the science behind this autoimmune condition. Whether you’re learning about the overactive thyroid or raising awareness about hyperthyroidism, this plush is here to make learning about thyroid health engaging and informative. Perfect for students, educators, or anyone passionate about health and science!
Graves’ Disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, affecting about 1 in 200 people, with women being up to eight times more likely to develop it than men. Our soft, huggable version simplifies the science. With colorful embroidery and an educational card, it’s a great gift for medical professionals, patients, or curious minds.
Let GIANTmicrobes make learning about autoimmune diseases fun and approachable! Add this Graves’ Disease plush to your collection today and discover the thyroid’s role in keeping your body in balance.
Size: 6 x 6 x 2”
Product Details
Additional Information
| Sizes | Giantmicrobes are based on actual microbes, cells, organisms and other critters, only 1,000,000 times actual size! Gigantic (GG) 16-24" XL (XL) 10-15" Original (PD) 5-8" Keychain (KC) 2-4" with clip |
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| Materials | Plush from all new materials. Stuffed with polyester fiber fill. Surface washable: sponge with water & soap, air dry. |
| Packaging | Each plush microbe includes a printed card with fun, educational and fascinating facts about the actual microbe or cell. |
| Safety | Every product meets or exceeds U.S. and European standards for safety. For ages 3 and up. |
All about Graves' Disease
FACTS: Originally called exophthalmic goiter, this autoimmune disorder was renamed for Robert James Graves, the physician who first described it in the 1800s. Graves' Disease causes the thyroid — a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck and part of the endocrine system — to become overactive, a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Despite its size, the thyroid plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, heart rate, breathing, digestion, and more, making it essential for overall bodily function.
Graves' Disease accounts for about four out of five cases of hyperthyroidism and affects roughly 1 in 100 people in the United States. Women are more commonly affected than men, with the condition frequently appearing between the ages of 30 and 50. Graves’ Disease occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets the thyroid gland, producing an antibody called “thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin.” This antibody binds to thyroid cells, overstimulating them and causing excess thyroid hormone production. Like other autoimmune conditions, Graves' Disease is thought to result from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors.
Common symptoms include weight loss, muscle weakness, and difficulty adjusting to temperature changes. Physically, the condition may cause goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland) and eye protrusion. Other complications can include irregular heartbeat, menstrual cycle disruptions, thinning bones, and eye damage.
Treatment options are varied and tailored to the severity of the condition. These range from thyroid surgery to radioiodine therapy, which helps shrink the thyroid, and medications that either block hormone production or help manage symptoms like rapid heart rate. In some cases, beta-blockers are prescribed to reduce the effects of excess thyroid hormone on the heart and muscles. With proper treatment and management, most patients can achieve long-term control of the disease and lead a normal, healthy life.