I am new here.

There is a lot of discussion on celiac and gluten intolerance having a connection to autoimmune thyroid disease.

I am wondering about the connection to autoimmune adrenal issues--it just makes sense!

Take a look at this link if you wish. http://autoimmunedisease.suite101.com/blog.cfm/1441 It discusses adrenocorticol autoantibodies and 21-hydrozy enzymes.

Thanks for chiming in!

It is not uncommon for a person with one autoimmune disease to have other autoimmune diseases. Many just have one. For others they can cluster...look up polyendocrine autoimmune disorders. Certain disease are more likely to occur together: eg : Type 1 diabetes and thyroid, or celiac and thyroid, thyroid and adrenal failure (addisons), adrenal failure and celiac, pernicious anemia...the list goes on... They can occur singly or more than one disease in any combination in a certain individual.

This is a good website: http://www.aarda.org/patient_information.php

Look up PolyGlandular Autoimmune Syndrome Type 2. Its a rare conditon but common if that makes sense

http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic1868.htm

Also be aware that adrenal antibodies can disappear and be absent, if the disease has gone undiagnosed for a long time.

Georgie,

Thanks for that link. I don't think that's what I have since my thyroid is fine. I have a relative with Hashimoto's, so I forwarded the link to them. I believe this person is an undiagnosed celiac.

With adrenals, even the subclinical can feel reeeeeaaallly bad....

This could be due to what is defined as 'subclinical'. Some Blood tests are not accurate for adrenal problems and some Drs won't refer you for further more advanced and accurate adrenal testing until a problem shows on the basic tests .....so ....you can waste years waiting to get an answer. And autoimmune Addisons can be slowly progressive or happen in weeks. I know some people that have taken 30 years to be diagnosed !

Read up what an Addisons Crisis is - early warning signs - keep a check on electrolytes , ALL associated Antibody tests and serum cortisol every year. Report unusual symptoms to a Dr like salt or vinegar cravings. Check Blood Pressure. Keep a Diary of symptoms for when you do see your Dr...

I believe that Addisons is the 100% requirement for PGA2 and that Hashimotos is only one of the possibles ( like Celiac).