Graves' diseasenoun [ U ]
uk/ˈɡreɪvz dɪˌziːz/us/ˈɡreɪvz dɪˌziːz/also Graves' thyrotoxicosis, /ˌɡreɪvz ˌθaɪ.rəʊˌtɒk.sɪˈkəʊ.sɪs//ˌɡreɪvz ˌθaɪ.roʊˌtɑːk.sɪˈkoʊ.sɪs/specializeda condition affecting the thyroid that makes every function in the body speed up. People who have Graves' disease often have eyes that stick out because of tissue swelling behind the eyes:
In Graves' disease, the body's immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to produce too many hormones.