Hashimoto's and other immune disorders

[nanners85]

I am a 23 year old female with Psoriatic Arthritis.  I have suffered from this condition since the age of 11, but it took 10 years to diagnose.  My mother, on the other hand, was diagnosed with Hashimoto's by the time I was 3, when she had her thyroid removed.  Since then my Aunt, her sister, was also diagnosed with Hashimoto's.  I am curious as to whether or not my mother's disease could have been a precursor to my own immune disorder, and also whether I should be concerned about getting tested myself.  I have experienced changes in weight gain, unexplained fatigue ( i nap every single day for at least two hours), and some other common symptoms of thyroid problems.  Thanks!

[redheadaussie]

A simple blood test will let you know! You need to ask for a thyroid anti-bodies blood test. Yes, Hashi's can be a genetic thing passed down through the generations. It acts like being hypothyroid , the weight gain, sleepiness, etc. It can then move into a hyper stage, anxiety, weight loss etc..then go back to hypo..of course all this takes years and is very hard to pin down to being Hashimoto's disease, but once tested and it is positive, it gives a better chance to deal with it.
  Often, not always, Hashimoto's patients have more than one auto-immune disease. So, in your case it would be well worth having that test done.
Good luck!

[Autumn1103]

Ask your doctor about getting tested.  It is supposed to be genetic, so there is a chance that you could have it as well.  Testing will let you know.