Hashimoto’s disease is a disorder of thyroid gland that is mediated by the overactive immune system in which it attacks its own tissue due to the wrong perception of foreign body. It is marked by the excess production of antibodies named thyroid peroxidase (TPO) that can lead to the destruction of the thyroid proteins thyroglobulin. The symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease are depression, dry and itchy skin, brittle hair, impairment of temperature sensation, tiredness and difficulty in concentration. It can induce another autoimmune disease due to the impaired immune system.
What Other Autoimmune Diseases Are Associated With Hashimoto’s Disease?
Hashimoto’s disease is as thyroid disease characterized by the attack of the immune system on the thyroid gland by the excess production of antibodies named thyroid peroxidase (TPO) that can destroy of the thyroid proteins thyroglobulin. Immune system develops misperception of a foreign body and can attack any part of the body resulting in that part’s malfunction. Hashimoto’s disease induces the risk of developing another autoimmune disease.
There can be 100 autoimmune diseases that can appear in the patients of Hashimoto’s disease before or after the onset of the disease. This association of autoimmune diseases is usually seen within families if any of the family members have Hashimoto’s disease.
The Autoimmune Diseases That Are Associated With Hashimoto’s Disease Are Following–
Pernicious Anemia– it is an autoimmune disease marked by the failure of absorption of Vitamin B12 by stomach form the food. Vitamin B12 is an essential constituent for the formation of red blood cells. Its deficiency induces anemia in the body.
Addison Disease– due to immune system attack provoked by Hashimoto’s disease to the adrenal gland, adrenal failure can happen from the damage caused to the adrenal gland. This condition is known as Addison’s disease. In this disease, production of sufficient cortisol and aldosterone steroid hormones is hampered.
Celiac Disease– this disease of the intestine in which body shows an immune reaction to gluten that damages the surface of the intestine triggering lots of nutritional deficiencies and can induce Hashimoto’s disease.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus– it is an autoimmune disease characterized by the attack of antibodies and lymphocytes on the pancreatic cells. This disease makes pancreas unable to secrete sufficient insulin for metabolism of blood glucose.
Polyglandular Syndrome- this is a disease of endocrine glands that leads to failure of multiple glands to secrete hormones.
Sjogren Syndrome – it is autoimmune disease characterized by the inflammation of salivary, mucous and tear glands that induce dryness of mouth, eye, and vagina.
Rheumatoid Arthritis– this is an disease of joints that induce inflammatory changes in the joint. The patient feels stiffness and pain, especially in the morning.
Polycystic Ovarian Disease– it is a hormonal disorder that can induce Hashimoto’s disease.
Autoimmune Hepatitis- when immune system targets the liver cells and cause inflammation, then the condition is known as autoimmune hepatitis. The inflammation of liver results in liver damage, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. This disease is of chronic nature, but represents symptoms of acute hepatitis.
Thrombocytopenic Purpura- it is a bleeding disorder marked by the low levels of platelets in the blood induced by the hyperactive immune system. The immune system attacks platelet and reduces them by destroying them resulting in red or blue bruises on the skin mainly on the legs.
Thyroid Eye Disease- it is an autoimmune disease that is linked to positive thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb). Hashimoto’s patients generally show sever thyroid orbitopathy.
Lupus Erythematosus– it is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies affect multiple organs and glands like skin, lymph glands, heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Conclusion
Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease in which body’s hyperactive immune system attacks its own tissues of the thyroid gland. Many autoimmune diseases discussed above are associated with Hashimoto’s disease before or after the beginning of Hashimoto. Antibodies produced by either of diseases can trigger the other.
Also Read:
- Hashimoto’s Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Treatment
- Can Hashimoto’s Cause Cancer?
- Is Hashimoto’s Disease Considered a Disability?
- Is Hashimoto’s Disease Inherited?
- What is the Cause of Hashimoto’s Disease?
- Is Hashimoto’s same as Hypothyroidism?
- Is Hashimoto’s an Autoimmune Disease?
- How Do You Diagnose Hashimoto’s Disease?
