Short answer: It can run in families, but there's no clear inheritance pattern. MedlinePlus Genetics, from the US National Library of Medicine, says the inheritance pattern of Graves' disease is unclear because many genetic and environmental factors appear to be involved, and that the condition can cluster in families. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) lists a family history of Graves' disease or Hashimoto's disease among the things that make Graves' more likely. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) says Graves' has a genetic predisposition, but that no specific gene has been identified for screening to date.
If your mother was diagnosed with Graves' and your sister has Hashimoto's, you're allowed to wonder where that leaves you. That's a question for your doctor, and it goes better when the facts about your relatives are on one page you can hand over.
Osmi's appointment sheet is one page with your line, what changed this chapter, your three questions and what's not on file yet, shared with your practitioner in one tap. You write the questions, and the sheet puts them beside your record. Your family history is a separate page, one you write yourself and bring along with it.
What US sources say about Graves' disease in families
The NIDDK page on Graves' disease says the condition is more common in women and people older than age 30. It lists a family history of Graves' disease or Hashimoto's disease among the things that make you more likely to develop it. The Office on Women's Health says Graves' disease may run in families, and that researchers are working to find the gene or genes involved.
MedlinePlus Genetics says Graves' disease is thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and some of those factors have been identified, but many remain unknown. Variations in many genes have been studied as possible risk factors, and most of the ones discovered are thought to have a small impact on a person's overall risk.
The American Thyroid Association covers other family members in two sentences: Graves' disease has a genetic predisposition, and no specific gene has been identified for screening to date.
Does Hashimoto's in the family count?
It does, according to NIDDK. Its Graves' list names a family history of Graves' disease or Hashimoto's disease in the same line. The ATA goes wider. Among the clues that hyperthyroidism is caused by Graves' disease, it lists a history of other family members with thyroid or other autoimmune problems, including type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia and vitiligo.
So your page holds more than one condition. If you want the two side by side, Graves' vs Hashimoto's walks through how US sources tell them apart.
Is Hashimoto's hereditary too?
The ATA's Hashimoto's page says it plainly: "Hashimoto’s thyroiditis often runs in families." The NIDDK page on Hashimoto's disease says your chance of developing it increases if other family members have the disease, and that researchers don't know why some people develop it, but a family history of thyroid disease is common.
MedlinePlus Genetics uses the same wording for Hashimoto's as for Graves': the inheritance pattern is unclear, the condition can cluster in families, and having a close relative with Hashimoto's disease or another autoimmune disorder likely increases a person's risk. Cleveland Clinic says that if you have biological family members with Hashimoto's disease or other thyroid conditions, you're more likely to get it.
With a family history, or without one
MedlinePlus Genetics makes two points about family health history in general. Having relatives with a condition does not mean a person will definitely develop that condition. And a person with no family history of a disorder may still be at risk of developing it.
So the page holds the facts about your relatives, and what they add up to for you is your doctor's call.
Writing down your family thyroid history
MedlinePlus Genetics says a complete family health history includes three generations of relatives: children, brothers and sisters, parents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, grandparents, and cousins. It says the easiest way to get the information is to talk to your relatives about their health, and to ask whether they've had any health problems and when they occurred.
Here's the page. Fill in what you know and leave the rest blank.
| Who | Which condition | Age at diagnosis | How you know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your mother | |||
| Your father | |||
| Your sisters and brothers | |||
| Your children | |||
| Your grandparents | |||
| Your aunts and uncles | |||
| Your nieces and nephews | |||
| Your cousins |
For which condition, write Graves', Hashimoto's, another thyroid condition, or another autoimmune condition, such as the type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia or vitiligo the ATA names. If nobody remembers the name, write down what your relative was told, in their words.
For age at diagnosis, write the age or the year. If it's a guess, say so on the page.
For how you know, write whether your relative told you, or whether it's in a medical record or another document. MedlinePlus Genetics says medical records and other documents can help complete a family health history, and that it's important to keep the information up to date and share it with a healthcare professional regularly.
Taking it to your appointment
Cleveland Clinic says your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history, including your family history of thyroid disease. NIDDK says your doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical exam to look for signs of Graves' disease. With the page in hand, you're not rebuilding your aunt's diagnosis from memory while someone types.
Bring it with your appointment sheet. If you want to ask about your family history, that can be one of your three questions, written in your own words. Osmi never diagnoses anything: what a value means is your doctor's call.
If you're pregnant or planning to be, the ATA recommends checking TSH as soon as pregnancy is confirmed in women at high risk for thyroid disease, and its examples include a family history of thyroid disease. Hashimoto's and pregnancy covers what gets checked.
Please talk to your doctor about your family history and what it means for you.
One small thing for this week: ask one relative which thyroid condition they were told they have, and how old they were.
Questions women ask about Graves' disease and family history
Is there a genetic test for Graves' disease? The ATA says Graves' disease has a genetic predisposition, but no specific gene has been identified for screening to date. MedlinePlus Genetics says variations in many genes have been studied as possible risk factors, and most of the ones discovered are thought to have a small impact on a person's overall risk. Ask your doctor about any test you've seen offered.
Can you get Graves' disease with no family history? MedlinePlus Genetics says a person with no family history of a disorder may still be at risk of developing it, and that having relatives with a condition does not mean a person will definitely develop it. NIDDK lists family history as one of several things that make Graves' disease more likely, and says the condition is more common in women and people older than age 30.
Does Hashimoto's in my family count for Graves' disease? NIDDK lists a family history of Graves' disease or Hashimoto's disease among the things that make Graves' more likely. The ATA lists a history of other family members with thyroid or other autoimmune problems among the clues that hyperthyroidism is caused by Graves' disease.
Will my children get Graves' disease if I have it? MedlinePlus Genetics says the inheritance pattern of Graves' disease is unclear, and that the condition can cluster in families. Its family health history page says having relatives with a condition does not mean a person will definitely develop it. Questions about your child belong with your child's doctor.
Which relatives count in a family health history? MedlinePlus Genetics says a complete record includes three generations: children, brothers and sisters, parents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, grandparents, and cousins. It suggests talking to your relatives about their health, and asking whether they've had any health problems and when they occurred.
Should I see a doctor if thyroid disease runs in my family? Cleveland Clinic says that if you have symptoms or certain risk factors, like a family history of thyroid disease, you should contact your healthcare provider, who can recommend some simple tests to see if your thyroid is making too much thyroid hormone. Its Hashimoto's page says that if you're having symptoms of Hashimoto's or have risk factors, like a family history of thyroid disease, you should contact a healthcare provider, who can run some simple tests to see if your thyroid isn't making enough thyroid hormone.
Educational, not medical advice.
