What is Graves' disease? Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. With this disease, your immune system attacks the thyroid and causes it to make more thyroid hormone than your body needs.

Is thyroid disease considered an autoimmune disease?

It is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when your body makes antibodies that attack the cells in your thyroid. Symptoms may include an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), tiredness, weight gain, and muscle weakness. You don't need treatment if your thyroid hormone levels are normal.

Does hyperthyroidism weaken immune system?

Levothyroxine used to treat an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and antithyroid drugs (carbimazole and propylthiouracil) used to treat an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) do not suppress your immune system.