graves' disease: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowMedical, Technical
Quick answer
What does “graves' disease” mean?
An autoimmune disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An autoimmune disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism).
A common cause of hyperthyroidism, often characterized by symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, weight loss, nervousness, and sometimes protrusion of the eyeballs (exophthalmos).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in medical usage. Spelling conventions follow standard BrE/AmE rules for surrounding text.
Connotations
Purely medical, with no cultural or regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but standard within endocrinology in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “graves' disease” in a Sentence
Patient + have/be diagnosed with + Graves' diseaseGraves' disease + cause + symptomsDoctor + treat + Graves' disease + with + therapyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “graves' disease” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The condition is often Graves'-induced hyperthyroidism.
American English
- Her hyperthyroidism was Graves'-mediated.
adjective
British English
- She has Graves'-related ophthalmopathy.
American English
- He presented with Graves'-associated symptoms.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in health insurance or pharmaceutical contexts.
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and endocrinology research papers.
Everyday
Used only when discussing specific medical diagnoses.
Technical
Standard term in clinical medicine and endocrinology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “graves' disease”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “graves' disease”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “graves' disease”
- Misspelling as 'Grave's disease' (singular possessive).
- Using lowercase 'g'.
- Confusing it with non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an autoimmune disorder and is not contagious.
It can be effectively managed and often sent into long-term remission with medication, radioiodine therapy, or surgery, but it is considered a chronic condition.
It is more common in women and often develops between the ages of 30 and 50, though it can occur at any age.
Hyperthyroidism is the general state of an overactive thyroid. Graves' disease is the most common specific autoimmune cause of hyperthyroidism.
An autoimmune disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism).
Graves' disease is usually medical, technical in register.
Graves' disease: in British English it is pronounced /ɡreɪvz dɪˈziːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡreɪvz dɪˈziz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Graves' as 'gravely serious' for the thyroid, causing it to work in overdrive.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A MACHINE / THE THYROID IS AN ENGINE (running too hot, in overdrive).
Practice
Quiz
Graves' disease is primarily characterized by: