AEMCA Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a major sign of Grave's disease?

1. Bulging eyes.

2. Cold intolerance.

3. Heat intolerance.

4. Increased energy.

The correct answer is: Cold intolerance.

Grave's disease, a common cause of hyperthyroidism, is characterized by several key symptoms that stem from an overactive thyroid gland. One of the hallmark signs of this condition is heat intolerance, which occurs due to an increased metabolism caused by elevated thyroid hormone levels. As a result, individuals with Grave's disease often feel excessively warm and may be unable to tolerate high temperatures. In contrast, cold intolerance is not associated with Grave's disease. Instead, cold intolerance is typically linked to hypothyroidism, where a deficiency in thyroid hormones leads to a slower metabolism and increased sensitivity to cold temperatures. Therefore, recognizing cold intolerance as a symptom can indicate a different thyroid-related condition rather than Grave's disease. Additionally, the other symptoms, such as bulging eyes (exophthalmos) and increased energy, are classic indicators of Grave's disease. Bulging eyes result from inflammation and swelling of the tissues around the eyes due to autoimmune activity related to the disorder, while increased energy is often experienced due to the heightened metabolic state induced by excess thyroid hormones.