Is Hypothyroidism a condition which can run in families?

[chainsawsal]

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Yes.

Most UK hypothyroidism (about 80%) is an auto-immune form (sometimes called Hashimoto's). It is well-known that people with auto-immune disorders often have close relatives who also have auto-immune disorders. Sometimes these are the same disorders, sometimes not.

Some people advise those with auto-immune thyroid disease to make sure that their offspring get tested and are made aware of the issues.

Rod

[Mia1057]

Yes in fact thyroid disease seems to run in families. My sisters, aunts, cousins are either hyper or hypo thyroid

[chainsawsal]

Thank you. I have long suspected that I may be hypothyroid, but I feel that by going to my GP I might be fobbed-off.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to chainsawsal]

Of course that is a possibility. But if you don't go, you are not even giving yourself a chance.

Go and be prepared to come back and discuss what happens.

Rod

[Hidden in reply to chainsawsal]

Please see your gp, could you take someone for a bit of moral support ?

Good luck x x

[EKASUK]

Definitely yes from my experience. Myself, my dad and his syster are all hypo and my sister has another autoimmune disease where her antibodies are high in her kidneys (not related to hypo I know but to highlight the point made above where autoimmune probelms can also run in families.

[Hidden]

My 4 siblings and my Mum also suffere/suffered auto immune diseases. They include, me with Hashi/hypo.

Sisters with leukeamia and lymphodeama. Mum an brother diabetes. Arthritis, all of us.

Mouth condition, which I can't remember what it's called.

[JanePound]

Definitely yes. My father had it. I have it, as does my sister. Both my children have it, my daughter being diagnosed at 14 and my son at 23. So far, one of my sister's children has it and we are just waiting to see if the other 3 get it as well. My mother and grandmother both had type 2 diabetes and my mother in law has recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism at 80. Basically, my children didn't have a chance.

[Duchy82]

Yes my grandma had it as well as me and i suspect my sister might have it too although doc says her thyroid is normal

[chainsawsal]

Thanks all. I'll go to GP and let you know how I get on.