Many diseases run in families, and Hashimoto’s is no exception. Doctors believe there to be a strong genetic component that causes someone to develop this autoimmune disease. This is because people with Hashimoto’s tend to have family members who have it too, or another type of thyroid disorder. 

What role do genes play in Hashimoto’s?

A 2017 study looked at the families of 264 hospital patients with hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto’s. In total, 46% of the patients had at least one relative who also had Hashimoto’s. Researchers concluded that if someone’s immediate family member (parent, sibling, or child) has Hashimoto’s, they have a 9 times higher risk of developing it too compared to the general population1.

Research shows that two categories of genes contribute to Hashimoto’s disease2:

  • Immune regulatory genes (HLA, CTLA4, PTPN22, CD40, CD25, and FCRL3)
  • Thyroid-specific genes (TG and TSHR)

Overall, experts believe that over 20 genes may contribute to the development of thyroid autoimmune disease, but the contributing genes can vary from person to person and across populations.

But having certain genotypes associated with Hashimoto’s or a relative that has it doesn’t guarantee that someone will develop it. There are other things, including environmental and hormonal factors, that can trigger or increase the risk of having Hashimoto’s. 

Additionally, Hashimoto’s appears to be associated with other types of autoimmune disorders. For instance, there’s a strong genetic link between Hashimoto’s and type 1 diabetes3. So in some families, someone may have diabetes while another person has thyroid disease.

Data shows that 40% of families in the United States where a relative has type 1 diabetes also have at least one relative with an autoimmune thyroid disorder4.

All in all, the more family members that have Hashimoto’s, the higher the chances are that someone will experience thyroid dysfunction.

What to do if you have a family history of Hashimoto’s

If Hashimoto’s or another type of autoimmune disease runs in your family, let your healthcare provider know. Also, be on the lookout for the common symptoms of hypothyroidism. Don’t hesitate to visit a doctor if you begin experiencing sensitivity to cold, weight gain, weak muscles, fatigue, hair loss, or depression. 

It’s helpful to plan ahead for the future if you know that you are at greater risk for developing a health condition. Be aware of the environmental factors that can trigger the onset of Hashimoto’s, including excessive iodine intake, infections, hormonal imbalances, toxins, and certain types of medications. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, be sure to tell your family members so that they can be aware of potential symptoms, get a blood test for thyroid antibodies, and access care in case they need it. 

The sooner Hashimoto’s is detected, the better. Treatment for hypothyroidism is very effective – thanks to medication (if necessary) and a few key lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, people with Hashimoto’s can have a high quality of life.

To sum up

In conclusion, Hashimoto’s disease is a type of autoimmune disorder that tends to run in families. This means that if a relative is affected by Hashimoto’s, another type of thyroid disease, or another autoimmune disorder, the chances are higher of developing it too. Hashimoto’s is a common cause of hypothyroidism, so stay on the lookout for symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland so you can get prompt testing and treatment if needed.