If you’re one of the extra rare people with Primary Biliary Cholangitis and a thyroid disease, this new research might put a smile on your face!
But let’s make sure we’re all on the same page with the basics, starting with…
What is PBC?
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), previously known as Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, is a progressive autoimmune disorder that affects the bile ducts in the liver. The immune system in individuals with this disease attacks the small bile ducts, which causes bile to build up to toxic levels and damage the liver.
PBC & Thyroid Disease
Other autoimmune diseases and Thyroid Disease (TD) are more prevalent in Primary Biliary Cholangitis patients, especially Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, which has a similar autoimmune etiology. However, there’s good news for patients who have both PBC and TD.
A recent study found that while there are certain associations between PBC and TD, having thyroid disease doesn’t affect complications or the progression of Primary Biliary Cholangitis.
The study, which was conducted by Annarosa Floreani, MD and her colleagues at the University of Padua in Italy, included 921 patients diagnosed with Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Of those 921 patients, 16.3% or 150 patients also had Thyroid Disease.
And what did the research prove?
That additional diagnosis of TD, did not impact PBC prognosis. You can read more about the study here.
What does this mean for you?
Well, quite simply it means one less thing to worry about! Living with one rare chronic illness is difficult enough. Then, when you start adding other conditions on top of it, it complicates everything. Is this symptom a result of my rare disease or something else?
So carry this research around as a little bit of peace of mind. Heavens know we all need a little more of that!
