Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) are disorders of abnormal thyroid function caused by an underlying immune system defect. AITDs include Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Hashitoxicosis, primary myxedema, and atrophic thyroiditis.
Autoantibodies, white blood cells & immune system chemicals known as cytokines cause symptoms in GD.
Patients with AITD can have GD, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), Hashitoxicosis and primary myxedema at different times in one lifetime. Learn more about AITD in my book, Graves' disease, A Practical Guide, spring 2001.
