When Your Child Has Graves Disease

Graves' disease results from an overactive thyroid gland. The gland produces too much thyroid hormone resulting in a condition called hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism may cause various symptoms and may affect all body functions. Thyroid hormone is important to body growth and metabolism. If your child has too much thyroid hormone, many of the body's processes speed up. Three options are available to treat Graves' disease: medications, radiation, or surgery. Here's what you need to know about home care following treatment.