Posted by yxibow on October 8, 2008, at 1:22:03
In reply to Re: What Is The Predictions For Flu this Year As Last » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2008, at 19:35:12
> Jay can you please clear up some confusion for me? Does the hasimotos autoimmune diseases make the immune systom stronger or weaker at fighting off germs? So in other words is autoimmune considered a weakened immune system like HIV? Phillipa
I'm not the best expert on that -- I think your doctor would be able to tell you a better answer -- but a number (including Hashimoto's) occur in women in a far greater number for whatever possible genetic traits.
Hashimoto's is an autoimmune, like other autoimmune disorders, where the body's own T-cells mistake and attack regions of the body, in this case, the thyroid. In other words, its an overactive immune response. Thus the need for thyroid medication, depending on the situation, because it is progressive and gradually degrades the thyroid.
Some disorders are more severe and require immune suppressant and steroidal medications, which probably will leave someone more vulnerable.
I can't find any reliable peer-reviewed sources on Hashimotos thyroiditis or other autoimmune disorders that note anything about immune deficiency. That doesn't mean there aren't journals that haven't described it.
But it is different from an acquired immune deficiency disorder -- the only one I know of, HIV/AIDS. There a virus is attacking the T-cells instead of one's own body.-- Jay
poster:yxibow
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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081006/msgs/856354.html