Asifa Islam
The thyroid gland is frequently affected by the autoimmune disorders Graves' Disease (GD) and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT), which lead to hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, respectively. They have a number of mysterious connections despite their conflicting clinical manifestations. Here, we suggest that GD and HT share a common underlying cause: they both result from an advantageous physiological process known as the autoimmune surveillance of hypersecreting mutants. Mutant cells that over secrete hormones and pose a threat of developing into poisonous nodules are selectively eliminated by autoreactive T cells. In those who are vulnerable, these T cells can set off a humoral response that results in the development of antibodies against thyroid antigens. Despite having opposing clinical phenotypes, HT and GD have similar incidence and risk factors, which can be explained by their shared genesis.
