Vitiligo and Thyroid Disease

Relationship Between Vitiligo And Thyroid Disease

Vitiligo has long been associated with autoimmune thyroid conditions, although the exact relationship is still not fully understood.  The two main types of autoimmune thyroid disease fall into hyperthyroidism (Grave’s disease), and hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)  And research has actually identified a particular gene that makes some people more susceptible to vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases, particularly autoimmune thyroid disease.

Autoimmune thyroid diseases are generally hereditary in origin, although environmental factors, such as infection, certain drugs, and iodine consumption, can play a role in their progression.

Autoimmune thyroiditis is more common in women than in men and it primarily affects people between 40 and 60 years of age.  Like many autoimmune disorders, your chances of getting autoimmune thyroiditis are increased if you have other autoimmune disorders.

An awareness of these facts is important since it makes sense for anyone diagnosed with vitiligo to get their thyroid health checked.