Multiple sclerosis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Abstract

A case of multiple sclerosis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis confirmed by cytology is reported. The association of multiple sclerosis with other autoimmune diseases is infrequent but supports the immune hypothesis of the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. The authors suggest the inclusion of immunological tests in the screening of all patients diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis and Hashimoto Thyroiditis

“…Proximal muscle weakness, myalgia, and fatigue are common symptoms in both MS and hypothyroidism. 9,12,14 When these symptoms appear in MS patients, thyroid function tests should be performed. 9 These symptoms will improve by thyroid hormone therapy.…”

“…The association of MS with other autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and myasthenia gravis supports the autoimmune hypothesis of MS. 12 Hashimoto thyroiditis, myasthenia gravis, Sjögren disease, pernicious anemia, pemphigus vulgaris, and autoimmune leukemia are occasionally associated with MS. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][12][13][14] Hashimoto thyroiditis is the most common form of autoimmune thyroid disease. Although its etiopathogenesis is obscure, there are many findings about the relationship between other autoimmune disease and Hashimoto thyroiditis.…”

Optic-spinal form of multiple sclerosis and anti-thyroid autoantibodies

“…Moreover, four of the nine patients were women and ATAbs seropositive. To our knowledge, two cases of classic MS associated with asymptomatic chronic autoimmune thyroiditis have been reported from Spain [17] and New Zealand [1]. Thus serum ATAbs are commonly detected, but not exclusively in OSMS.…”

Observations on Recent Studies Showing Increased Co-occurrence of Autoimmune Diseases

“…An autoimmune disease has been defined as a clinical syndrome caused by the activation of T cells or B cells, or both, in the absence of an ongoing infection or other discernible cause [1]. The co-occurrence of autoimmune diseases has been studied because the existence of shared pathophysiological mechanisms is hypothesized, and recent epidemiological studies have described an increased statistical susceptibility of people with one autoimmune disease to other autoimmune diseases (Table 1) [2][3][4]. This increased relative risk of acquiring another autoimmune disease given that one already has one autoimmune disease may be due to: a genetic susceptibility that affects both diseases, an environmental trigger that may initiate both diseases, or alteration of the body's homeostasis by one disease that incurs susceptibility to another.…”