Women are much more likely to develop Graves’ disease than men. Graves’ disease usually appears before the age of 40. Having a family history of Graves’ disease also increases your risk.
Other factors that can increase your risk for Graves’ disease include:
- Smoking, which also increases your risk for developing eye problems from the disease;
- Pregnancy or recent childbirth;
- Stress; and
- Having an autoimmune disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes.
Image reproduced, with permission, from Raab EL, Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 6, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2011-2012.
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