Thursday Thoughts

[DonnaBoll]

What aspect of PBC would you like to learn more about?

[Cressy]

In the last 2 to 3 years my hair has fallen out and is now very thin although due to the expensive products I use in very good condition. My hepatologist tells me that it has nothing to do with PBC or any meds but likely to be another autoimmune disease as my immune system is compromised (like everyone else). I wonder if there is a "cluster" of autoimmune diseases that we PBCers are prone to contracting? Sjogren's syndrome for example.

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Cressy]

Hi Cressy! In my experience with many PBC patients, hair thinning is very common. Some are helped using Biotin shampoo. As far as other autoimmune diseases, you are so right about there being several autoimmune diseases that one person can have at once. The 2 most common are osteoporosis and Sicca Syndrome (Sjogrens). Others may experience thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, MS, type 1 diabetes, Crohns, pernicious anemia and others. One of the most difficult problems, from those I've known, are that when several autoimmune diseases are present, and there are several specialists involved in your care, they often fail to communicate or 'order' something without knowing what the other specialists might prefer. Getting bone density tests and thyroid testing is part of the follow up care for all of us as well as vitamin levels checked periodically.

[Cressy in reply to DonnaBoll]

Thanks Donna,