Grave's disease is characterized by autoimmune attack on the thyroid resulting in which features?

• A. Excess thyroid hormone with goiter and exophthalmos.
• B. Hypothyroidism with weight gain.
• C. Congenital absence of thyroid.
• D. Pituitary failure.

Answer: (A)

Graves disease causes hyperthyroidism because autoantibodies stimulate the TSH receptors on the thyroid, driving overproduction of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). This excess thyroid hormone leads to a high metabolic state, and the classic accompanying signs include a diffuse enlargement of the thyroid (goiter) and eye involvement known as exophthalmos.

So, the combination of excess thyroid hormone with a goiter and exophthalmos best matches Graves disease. The other scenarios describe different thyroid problems: hypothyroidism with weight gain would be low thyroid hormone levels; congenital absence of the thyroid is congenital hypothyroidism; and pituitary failure would cause secondary hypothyroidism with low thyroid-stimulating hormone.