Monozygous twins with hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus. Issue 568 (February 1973)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mitchell, I.; Lawson, A. A. H.
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 49:Issue 568(1973)
• Page Start: 107
• Page End: 112
• Publication Date: 1973-02
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.49.568.107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract : Monozygous twins with diabetes mellitus and autoimmune hypothyroidism are described. The onset of the hypothyroidism was simultaneous, but one twin had had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus for 9 years while the other twin developed insulin-independent diabetes concurrently with the hypothyroidism. Two other siblings had diabetes mellitus and one of them had a goitre, possibly lymphadenoid. The aetiology of autoimmune hypothyroidism is discussed, and evidence is presented which supports suggestions that diabetes mellitus may be an autoimmune disease.