I have been following posts relating to Covid-19 with interest. I have been mpletely taken in by my own understanding and sources including BTF about risk to those with Hashimoto’s or Graves.
However I have now been informed by Shooting Stars that studies show otherwise. It seems Hashi and Graves are two autoimmune conditions which cause compromised immune system in sufferers. I did apologise to her and others in the same boat. Now I am inclined to feel the BTF is a much better source. I myself do not have Hashi despite over sixty years of hypothyroidism. I feel I need to look into this more and ensure I am not blinkered as I have a friend with Hashi who wants to help her friends classed by the Government as vulnerable
Does anyone have links to the research that Hashi and Graves cause immune system suppression and it is due to invasive medications as in cancer and HIV care or just those conditions?
Many thanks , take care.
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Miffie
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Miffie, "Does anyone have links to the research that Hashi and Graves cause immune system suppression and it is due to invasive medications"
If I'm understanding you correctly, it was member ShootingStars that told you this, so why not ask this member directly for the relevant research links.
The member advised “Actually, all scientific research and knowledge indicates that there is amble literature showing that Hashimoto's and Graves are comorbid for Immunoglobulin Deficiencies. Immunoglobulin Deficiencies mean a compromised immune system. If you don't have enough immunoglobulins, then you can't fight off infections.”
In the light of no one providing more specific details I am going to take the view shared by BTF and Thyroid UK. Thank you Red Apple
There is a lot of educational information available about how the immune system functions, thyroid function, Hashimoto's, Graves, and immune deficiencies through anatomy and physiology books, medical books, medical journals and medical studies.
It is not that Hashimoto's and Graves necessarily "cause" immune system suppression, specifically antibody deficiency (immunoglobulins are antibodies) that I referred to in the other post. It is also not that autoimmune disease cause immune system suppression. It's important to understand the immune system, what immune system suppression means, what autoimmunity is and the difference between all three. The immune system is very complex. The major components of the immune system are bone marrow, the lymph system, the compliment system (compliment proteins), white bloods cells (which produce antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins), certain hormones, thymus, spleen and antibodies (immunoglobulins). Each of these components can have their own problems that involve the immune system, plus each component has it's own cells and possibly proteins that can malfunction, too.
A suppressed immune system means that one or more aspect of the immune system is not functioning properly, so the body cannot fight off infections. In the other post the part of the immune system that I was referring to was immunoglobulins and immunoglobulin deficiency. This type of deficiency, immunoglobulin deficiency, has been found to be comorbid with autoimmune diseases, particularly if the patient with autoimmune disease gets frequent infections. Testing immunoglobulins is an easy blood test that a primary care physician can order, and is also commonly checked by allergists/immunologists.
Another part of the immune system that is even more commonly found to be deficient in people with autoimmune diseases are the proteins of the compliment system, specifically proteins C3 and C4 are related to autoimmune diseases.
Hashimoto's and Graves are autoimmune diseases. The immune system malfunctions and it mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Once you have an immune system dysfunction, you are more prone to acquiring additional immune system dysfunctions. These could be additional autoimmune diseases, or they could be other immune system disorders, such as immune system suppression disorders.
This article explains types of immune deficiencies involving antibodies or immunoglobulins and use of immunoglobulin therapy for treating immune deficiencies, as well as for treating some autoimmune conditions.
"Thus, in humans as well as in mice, deficiency in sIgM increases an individual’s susceptibility for autoimmune diseases." ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
TITLE: "Immunologic Endocrine Disorders"
Explains how the immune system is involved with Hashimoto's, particularly T-cells (part of immune system) developed in the thymus, and causing inflammation. The immune system mistakenly views thyroid peroxidase as a foreign invader (just as the immune system would attack a virus or bacteria) and attacks it, by producing the autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase.
"Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
"
"Background
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common endocrine autoimmune condition, affecting up to 10% of the general population. It is characterized by a gradual loss of thyroid function, goiter, and T cell infiltration on histology. HT affects women more frequently than men with a sex ratio of 7:1.
Pathogenesis
HT occurs in genetically susceptible populations but lacks a strong association with HLA. Mutations in the thyroglobulin gene (39) and CTLA-4 are associated with disease (40). T cells play a crucial role in disease pathogenesis by reacting with thyroid antigens and secreting inflammatory cytokines. Autoantibodies develop in HT to thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin, and to the TSHR. It is believed that these autoantibodies are secondary to thyroid follicular cell damage induced by T cells. Thyroid peroxidase is the major autoantigen and autoantibodies to TPO are closely associated with disease activity."
HT occurs in genetically susceptible populations but lacks a strong association with HLA. Mutations in the thyroglobulin gene (39) and CTLA-4 are associated with disease (40). T cells play a crucial role in disease pathogenesis by reacting with thyroid antigens and secreting inflammatory cytokines. Autoantibodies develop in HT to thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin, and to the TSHR. It is believed that these autoantibodies are secondary to thyroid follicular cell damage induced by T cells. Thyroid peroxidase is the major autoantigen and autoantibodies to TPO are closely associated with disease activity.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency associated with autoimmune diseases
"CVID can be associated with autoimmune disorders that affect other blood cells causing low numbers of white cells or platelets, anemia, arthritis and other conditions such as endocrine disorders." Thyroid disease is an endocrine disorder.
I do not know what @Miffie means by "due to it's invasive medications". Which invasive medications do you mean? If you mean thyroid medications to replace thyroid hormones T3 and T4, neither hormone is invasive in any way.
The only person I know with Hashi has read all the posts on her and really does not care for any info not supplied by bodies such as Thyroid UK and the NHS. For this reason my interest in your theory has lessened and I am rushing to follow up, sorry to sound self centred. I will obviously read all the references you have supplied but not immediately.
As you have studied these papers and band believe BTF and Thyroid uK as well as the NHS to be wrong I trust forward this information to Thyroid charities, relevant Government departments and your local Health Authority at least.
Please save your energy and do not feel the need to give me any further details. As you are so confident of your belief then please use your time to enlighten others. Thank you.
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