John F. Kennedy - Autoimmune Diseases

[Polaris]

Just finished a Kindle book about John F. Kennedy - really interesting. I’m amazed how stoic he managed to be as, apart from his known back pain, it seems to confirm Dr J Chandy’s paragraph on JFK in his book, “Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Clinical Practice”; also that autoimmune diseases often run in families, as well as being very common in those with Northern European ancestry.  JFK’s sister suffered from Addison’s Disease and his son, Graves disease (hyperthyroidism).  

JFK was hospitalised several times from quite an early age with various illnesses - ulcerative colitis, hypothyroidism etc.  Addison’s Disease was suspected after collapsing in London and being admitted to St Thomas’s with nausea, vomiting and hypertension, eventually diagnosed in 1947. I’d already read somewhere that his medication was kept at various strategic places in case urgently needed……. 

Apparently, he was also anaemic and given regular B12 injections, B1 and other B vitamins throughout his time as president.   

[helvella]

He was one of the first to receive regular doses of liothyronine (thyroid hormone - T3). Probably from 1956 (or thereabouts) when it was first approved.

Just adding a link:

Endocrine and Autoimmune Aspects of the Health History of John F. Kennedy

acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326...

[EllaNore in reply to helvella]

Wow. I never knew. Very interesting.

[Polaris in reply to helvella]

Thank you very much for this link Helvella, especially this particular paragraph, which, added to information in Dr Chandy’s book that Addison, on performing autopsies on those with Pernicious Anaemia, discovered they all had damaged adrenals, is very interesting indeed! :

“Autoimmune thyroid disease is found to coexist with Addison disease in two thirds of cases (27, 28). “

Really wish I’d been able to quote it two years ago when taken to hospital at the beginning of the pandemic after two doctors suspected Addison’s Disease from the symptoms I was experiencing. After a battery of tests, X-rays, carried out, plus days of rehydration but no cortisol test - I received no firm diagnosis 😳

[deniseinmilden]

Wow!

Gives us all hope yet!

Thank you for sharing such an inspiring thing!

[pitney]

very interesting thank you😀

[EllaNore]

Wow! That is very interesting. He could have really made a difference in the world of PA and B12D, by not keeping it a secret. I just posted something about David Cassidy and his sad story. Long family history of dementia. Too bad these famous people couldn't help shine a light on this.