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Myasthenia Gravis

Thyroid disease & mg

01/20/2005 09:06PM

Question:

In your previous two answers you mentioned thyroid disease.What connection does this have with MG?My doctor has never mentioned this to me nor tested my thyroid.

Answer:

Patients with myasthenia gravis have a greater likelihood of having thyroid disease than non-myasthenic patients. Studies have shown that 5% of those with myasthenia gravis will have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), 5% will have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), and 2% will have non-toxic goiter. The incidence of thyroid disease in the general population is around 1.5%. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can worsen myasthenia gravis or even precipitate a crisis. I routinely check thyroid function once per year on my myasthenic patients with blood work (TSH, free T4). Why the association? Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease, where the body is attacking its own tissues (the acetylcholine receptor). People with autoimmune diseases have higher rates of other autoimmune diseases, such as antibodies against the thyroid.

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Response by:

University of Cincinnati Robert W Neel, IV, MD
Assistant Professor, Assistant Residency Program Director
Department of Neurology
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati
Robert W Neel, IV, MD

 

University of Cincinnati John G. Quinlan, MD
Professor
Department of Neurology
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati
John G. Quinlan, MD