A multisystem autoimmune disorder with pronounced hyperthyroidism, enlarged thyroid, and exophthalmos is called?

A multisystem autoimmune disorder with pronounced hyperthyroidism, enlarged thyroid, and exophthalmos is called?

• A. Graves disease
• B. Hashimoto's thyroiditis
• C. De Quervain thyroiditis
• D. Goiter

Answer: (A)

Graves disease is an autoimmune process in which antibodies stimulate the TSH receptor, causing diffuse enlargement of the thyroid and overproduction of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). The same immune activity often extends to the orbit, leading to inflammation and tissue changes that push the eyes forward, producing exophthalmos. This combination of hyperthyroidism with eye involvement and a diffusely enlarged thyroid is characteristic, making Graves disease the best answer for this multisystem autoimmune presentation. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is autoimmune but usually results in hypothyroidism with a non-tender goiter and does not cause exophthalmos. De Quervain thyroiditis is a painful, typically self-limited thyroiditis with transient thyrotoxicosis, not autoimmune and lacking eye involvement. Goiter simply means thyroid enlargement and can arise from many causes without necessarily causing hyperthyroidism or eye signs.

Graves disease is an autoimmune process in which antibodies stimulate the TSH receptor, causing diffuse enlargement of the thyroid and overproduction of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). The same immune activity often extends to the orbit, leading to inflammation and tissue changes that push the eyes forward, producing exophthalmos. This combination of hyperthyroidism with eye involvement and a diffusely enlarged thyroid is characteristic, making Graves disease the best answer for this multisystem autoimmune presentation.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is autoimmune but usually results in hypothyroidism with a non-tender goiter and does not cause exophthalmos. De Quervain thyroiditis is a painful, typically self-limited thyroiditis with transient thyrotoxicosis, not autoimmune and lacking eye involvement. Goiter simply means thyroid enlargement and can arise from many causes without necessarily causing hyperthyroidism or eye signs.