Genetic Counseling

[BCmama]

Doctor,  

Have you heard of a genetic condition connecting Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Bipolar Disorder, early onset of grey hair, vitamin B12 deficiency and possibly Lupus and anemia.  All of these have occured in my immediate family and my life has been greatly impacted by a pituitary adenoma (silent, but stains for ACTH) which keeps returning (over a 21 year period).  I have just completed Gamma Knife treatment at UVA in Charlottesville.  My 20 year old daughter has Hashimoto's, my son is hypothyroid and has bipolar disorder.  I am wondering if they should both seek genetic counselling before starting families of their own.  Thank you.

[mosesgt]

Numerous autoimmune conditions have been associated w/ psychiatric conditions. Bipolar d/o is an hereditary condition & is also seen more often in people w/ multiple sclerosis & other disorders, including autoimmune d/o. Often autoimmune conditions show so many symptoms that people can look bipolar, with out being bipolar. That makes it very confusing. The genetic counseling is a good idea, if the purpose is to discuss what the chances of passing on a condition are, or if treatments in utero are available or if there is a specific type of spouse that could worsen or improve the odds, etc. Hopefully the purpose would not be to decide if they should have children or not. Hopefully you do not regret bringing your children into the world. Hopefully, they have been a positive influence to you & likely many others, despite being imperfect. My wife & I have many physical & emotional imperfections & many were passed to our children, yet I would not want to return any of them. One of my most imperfect children is finishing her first year of medical school. I can only hope that we in this country have a better understanding of humanity than some in history that tried to keep only the good ones. I certainly do not mean to imply that you meant any of this by your simple question; I just wanted to make sure the readers did not infer the wrong idea from Dr. Lupo's answer.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

genetic counseling is not a treatment for hypothyroidism - hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid hormone replacement.

[Captainli]

can hypothyroidism be treated with genetic counseling?

[Captainli]

can hypothyroidism be treated with genetic counseling?

[Captainli]

can hypothyroidism be treated with genetic counseling?

[GRACIE352]

MY BOYFRIEND IS BALD AND HE WEARS HATS ALL THE TIME. HE WILL ONLY TAKE THE HAT OFF WHEN WERE ARE IN TOTAL DARKNESS. WHAT DO I DO?  I CAN'T STAND THIS LIFESTYLE ANYMORE.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Yes - these are all autoimmune disorders, with the exception possibly of Bipolar and the Pituitary adenoma.  The low B12 is suggestive of pernicious anemia.  Pituitary adenomas are not typically associated with Hashimotos'.  Pituitary enlargement can be seen in autoimmune pituitary disease which may be more common in Hashimotos - lymphocytic hypophysitis but this usually would result in abnormal pituitary hormones.

Would check with UVA regarding appropriateness of genetic screening as they may have more specific data regarding your conditions.