Graves and hypothyroidism

[MiniMum97]

Hi

It looks like I may be developing/have hypothyroidism. I have three close blood relatives with Graves disease. Just wondered if anyone knew if there are any links between the two?

Thanks

[Clutter]

Minimum97,

Graves disease is autoimmune hyperthyroidism. Unless you were previously hyperthyroid it is unlikely you have have Graves. 90% of hypothyroidism is caused by autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's). Ask your GP to test thyroid peroxidase antibodies.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[MiniMum97 in reply to Clutter]

Sorry maybe my post wasn't very clear. I don't think I have Graves, just wondered whether there was any genetic link between Graves and hypothyroidism. I know there is a link between autoimmune diseases generally but I don't have hashis. Although I do have PCOS (linked to autoimmune diseases) and endo (an auto-immune disease), both of which also run in my family.

Seems like the ladies in our family don't have very good endocrine systems and was just wondering what the link was if any.

Thanks

[Clutter in reply to MiniMum97]

MiniMum97,

Hyperthyroidism can burn out the thyroid gland so we have several members who had Graves hyperthyroidism which went into remission and they eventually became hypothyroid. Although the hyperthyroidism went into remission Graves antibodies don't so those patients have Graves and hypothyroidism. My sister had RAI to ablate her thyroid gland so she is now hypothyroid with Graves antibodies.

[MiniMum97]

Genetic link to thyroid diseases - not categorical but indicates even non-autoimmune thyroid diseases may be genetic...

pathologystudent.com/?p=3035

[bantam12]

I and one sister had Graves other sister didn't but is hypo.

[DoubleM]

My maternal grandmother and aunt are hypo (possibly hashimotos) and have been since their 30s / 40s I'm hyper and have been since I was 31 so it's possible there's an hereditary link (I also have psoriasis from that side of the family)