Can fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis increase your risk of developing myasthenia gravis?
There isn't strong evidence showing that fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome are risk factors for developing myasthenia gravis. These conditions aren't mentioned as precursors to MG in the Show Full Answer
Can fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis increase your risk of developing myasthenia gravis?
There isn't strong evidence showing that fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome are risk factors for developing myasthenia gravis. These conditions aren't mentioned as precursors to MG in the research.
However, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a bit different. While it's not identified as a direct precursor to MG, there is a connection between thyroid disease and myasthenia gravis.
Both conditions are autoimmune disorders, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. People with MG and autoimmune thyroid disorders may share some common genes, which suggests a genetic link.
It's estimated that between 5 percent and 10 percent of people with myasthenia gravis also have thyroid issues. The connection appears to stem from shared immune system dysfunction rather than one condition causing the other.
If you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it doesn't mean you'll develop MG, but it does mean you share some of the autoimmune factors that are present in both conditions.
November 8, 2025