Other autoimmune diseases?

[samira1]

Hi

I am 23 years old and I have Graves' disease.

I was reading an article suggesting people with autoimmune diseases have an big chance of developing an other one. The article also stated people with thyriod problems, have an chance of developing vitiligo and alopecia.

Since reading this, i am worried every single day, I feel like I will develop an other condition soon. I am scared and I hate feeling like this. The constant worry every day.

Having Graves' disease is bad enough but a other problem? I shouldn't be feeling like this at 23 but it's annoying.

Sorry for seeming selfish, how can I stop feeling this way?

Thank you

[Clutter]

Samira1,

Having one autoimmune disease does mean it is morely likely one will develop others but it's nonsense to suggest that Graves patients are any higher risk of developing vitiligo or alopecia than anyone else.

Take what you read about thyroid disease with a pinch of salt. There's an awful lot of misinformation about autoimmunity and thyroid disease on the internet.

[samira1 in reply to Clutter]

With the first point, would you say there's more then an 50% chance I will likely develop other auto immune diseases then?

Thanks for the reply

[Clutter in reply to samira1]

Samira1,

I've no idea what the odds are. You may not develop any others. I had an autoimmune disease in 2011 and as far as I know I haven't developed any others.