"A UCLA study revealed that a gene on the X chromosome may help explain why more women than men develop multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Researchers found that a gene known as Kdm6a was expressed more in women's immune cells than in men's, and expressed more in female mice than in males..."
I suppose women (and female mice) need a more complex immune system than men because of the incredible way a baby normally survives in the womb without the mother's immune system reacting against it.
"The results help explain why females are more prone to developing autoimmune disease, and suggest that modulating the activity Kdm6a in T cells might be a potential therapeutic target for MS, and other autoimmune diseases. The findings suggest that drugs like metformin, a diabetes treatment that has been shown to alter Kdm6a activity, might also deserve further study. "
Anyone know if metformin has been tried in thyroid patients?
Also interesting - a large percentage of drug trials ONLY involve men - mostly because of the risks of an undiagnosed pregnancy and foetal harm. There was a fascinating article in the Times magazine earlier this year, but I can't access a link. Apparently even female viagra was trialled mainly on men!
Given that there are far more female sufferers of thyroid issues, it makes you wonder about the gender balance of historic drug trials and whether there is a gender difference in reactions to medication.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Unraveling the molecular architecture of autoimmune thyroid diseases at spatial resolution
Update on Hyperthyroid depression
Hypo symptoms but doctors unsympathetic
