How does having both Hashimoto's thyroiditis and myasthenia gravis affect your treatment and symptoms?
Having both conditions together is less common than MG with Graves' disease, but it does happen. Between 5-10% of people with MG also develop thyroid issues, and Hashimoto's is one of them.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis causes Show Full Answer
How does having both Hashimoto's thyroiditis and myasthenia gravis affect your treatment and symptoms?
Having both conditions together is less common than MG with Graves' disease, but it does happen. Between 5-10% of people with MG also develop thyroid issues, and Hashimoto's is one of them.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis causes hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) because antibodies attack your thyroid tissue, leading to inflammation and reduced hormone production. This can cause symptoms like:
* Fatigue and exhaustion
* Weight gain
* Difficulty tolerating cold
* Slow heart rate
* Hair loss or brittle hair and nails
* Dry skin
* Depression
* Constipation
* Heavy or irregular periods
* Concentration difficulties
Unfortunately, research shows that people with both Hashimoto's and MG tend to have more severe MG symptoms that require more aggressive treatment. There's also a higher association with thymoma (a tumor in the thymus gland) in people with both conditions. The good news is that Hashimoto's is very treatable when caught early. It's typically managed with levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone that replaces what your thyroid isn't producing.
Your MG specialist and possibly an endocrinologist (hormone specialist) can work together to find a treatment plan that addresses both conditions without one interfering with the other. They'll want to monitor your thyroid hormone levels regularly to ensure they stay balanced.
Since both are autoimmune conditions, your doctor may suggest immunosuppressive treatments that can help manage both at once, depending on your specific situation.
March 6
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