How likely to develop another autoimmune disease?

[Emmasian94]

I have hypothyroidism with positive TPOs - so Hashimoto's disease. I've been diagnosed with this for nearly a year now. I still feel very daunted by it all and must admit, I live in fear of developing more autoimmune diseases :( Does anyone know how likely it is? And how we can give ourselves the best chance of not getting more? Can anyone give me some positive stories please. Feeling pretty low about it all.

My batshit theory is that my immune system was always fucking awesome. So good in fact, it ended up eating itself.

I figure it’s so busy eating itself, it’s too busy to be dealing with other stuff.

Like I say, batshit. 😉

I had a bad accident 4 years ago and subsequently was diagnosed a few months after, with GCA/PMR. I think it was the trauma of the accident which brought these on. I was taking 60mg prednisolone steroids a day to begin with and after 3 years now down to1. It's been the worst time of my life and at times thought I'd never get through it..but I have and it looks like I'm in remission. So far nothing else has kicked in and I'm hoping that's the end of it but who knows?
Wishing you well with your recovery OP.

Unfortunately the general consensus is that you collect autoimmune diseases.

I started with one and now have 3

Ive collected a few , started with Raynauds as a teenager , then vitiligo , hypothyroidism and topped it off with Addisons ( which my mother also had ) . I can’t say any of them bother me that much .

It doesn't really matter if its more likely or not. You'll either develop an autoimmune disease or you won't. I know its a shock and a lot to get your head around but if you start worrying about what-ifs you'll drive yourself crackers, trust me.

I've also collected them
Vitiligo
Hashimotos
Neutropenia
Chronic urticaria

In the questionnaire in About Thyroid having an auto-immune disease gets you 10 points from memory. They seem to love company.
Sarcoidosis is a bastard of one - it attacks any organ in the body. I know someone who had their heart damaged, xh had retinal bleeding and partial detachment of his retina. It can also affect the brain (may have done in his case).

Oh you're so right. I do think I've got inside my head too much unfortunately.

I had graves diagnosed in 1990. No other auto immune diseases have appeared. Fingers crossed.

I developed my autoimmune disease aged 16. I'm now 25, and I still just have the one! The symptoms haven't really progressed or worsened over time either, it's mostly just stayed the same.

I realise I'm lucky and who knows what's round the corner, but I suppose that I just wanted to say it isn't inevitable you'll get another. And worrying about it certainly won't stop it!

I used to worry loads about my disease, but now I'm basically at peace with it. It took me a long time to get to that place, though.

Thank you SO MUCH for your reply! You have no idea how much I needed to hear just an ounce of positivity. 💖

Dad was diagnosed hypothyroid in 1999, he doesn't have any other autoimmune illnesses.

I've got Hypo as well and I've not yet (been 5 years).

I know of many women with thyroid issues who haven’t developed other diseases decades on.
I hope this gives you some peace of mind.

I developed hypothyroidism in 2005 after pregnancy. I still take the same amount of levothyroxine after all this time and haven't gained any other auto immune illnesses. It's not inevitable that you'll get another but I've never heard of any ways to stop it happening I guess it just depends on each person

I've collected all mine since giving birth to ds, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Raynauds & Hypothyroidism, as well as Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, Vitamin B12 deficiency, IBD, Coeliac disease to name but a few.

Its easy to do :)

I became ill with mine as a child. V seriously ill with it for several years. All OK now due to surgery and not developed another.

I know I’m a little late to this, but here’s a little info: According to my rheumatologist, if you have one of the big autoimmune diseases like Ankylosing Spondylitis, the chances of developing another big one, like Rheumatoid Arthritis, is very low (I was worried about this scenario so she was giving me info).

I’ve had Ankylosing Spondylitis for over 13 years and it’s my only one. My godmother has had ulcerative colitis for decades and it’s her only one.

According to other medical sources, most people with an autoimmune disease only have one. About 25% of people with autoimmune diseases have multiple ones, though the number may be increasing. Chances are it’ll be your only one. Hope that helps! 🙂

I've had Hashimoto's for the past 7 years now (actually longer, that was just diagnosis and clearly I had it before then), but I haven't gotten another yet. I fear getting RA as my mother had that in her hands, I have had some pain in a couple of joints lately. Otherwise, I went on to develop histamine intolerance, also a pain!

I got mine age 10. Now in my 40's and I just had the one.

I had hyperthyroidism and had thyroid removed in the end, that was in 2003 after being overactive for years.

2017 diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Consultant did say to me it wasn't surprising, considering I've had previous auto immune problems.