Vitiligo Spots taking over body

[gamalama]

Hi, I am a 53 yr. old female, in good health, except for some digestion problems. About 9 years ago, I noticed faint white spots on both thumbs. Over the past 9 years it has progressed rapidly. I have on hands arms, shins, and back of neck, under eyes, and at corners of mouth. Stress seems to make it grow. In 1986 I had papillary thyroid cancer, surgery, then radioactive iodine. Since then, I have been taking Synthroid.
I was wondering if you have any suggestions.


Thanks,

Alice

[muaaz]

In Autoimmune diseases, a person's immune system reacts against the body's own organs or tissues. Vitiligo is found to be more common in people with certain autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases that are associated with vitiligo include: hyperthyroidism (over activity of the thyroid gland), adrenocortical insufficiency (the adrenal gland does not produce enough of the hormone corticosteroid), alopecia areata (patches of baldness), and pernicious anemia (a low level of red blood cells caused by the failure of the body to absorb vitamin B12).

http://www.antivitiligo.com/vitiligo/

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

'Vitiligo may be associated with other autoimmune diseases, especially thyroid disease and diabetes mellitus. Other associated autoimmune diseases include pernicious anemia, Addison disease, and alopecia areata.'

Consult your doctor to rule these out in your case.

You could read more about this at the following link -

http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic453.htm

Let us know if you need any other information.

Regards.

[kiyoodle]

Vitiligo does seem to strike people with autoimmune disorders , here is a site with more information about it.
http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/vitiligo/vitiligo.htm
Some people use makeup to cover spots or Michael Jackson bleached the rest of his skin to match the lighter spots.  Good luck.