Auto immune
Will removal of the thymus gland resolve auto immune illnesses?
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Will removal of the thymus gland resolve auto immune illnesses?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.
@carol1024, I'm not sure there is clear answer for your question. My non medical opinion is that I did find some information on the question that might be helpful in understanding the topic/question.
"Historically, the prevailing belief was that the thymus holds minimal significance in adulthood because of its involution. However, a growing body of evidence challenges this perspective. There are reports that indicate that sustaining thymopoiesis well into adulthood can have significant benefits while its deterioration may elevate the risk of neoplasia and autoimmune disorders.6,7 Consequently concerns have been raised that surgical removal of the thymus in a variety of clinical scenarios may lead to deleterious consequences.
On the other hand, studies have documented unequivocal benefits of thymus removal in specific cases, such as patients with certain autoimmune forms of myasthenia gravis (MG)8,9 and individuals diagnosed with thymic neoplasia who require surgery.10 Nevertheless, the potential negative impact of surgical thymus removal on immune function, potentially leading to increased rates of cancer and autoimmunity, deserves further scrutiny.11 Here, we briefly review the function of the thymus, assess what is known about adverse effects of thymic resection on immune function, and address the current limitations of our knowledge in guiding clinical decisions concerning thymectomy."
-- Does Surgical Removal of the Thymus Have Deleterious Consequences?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11226319/
Here are a few more references:
-- Risk of incident autoimmune diseases in patients with thymectomy:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7359128/
-- Study Reveals Unexpected Importance of the Thymus in Adults:
https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/study-reveals-unexpected-importance-of-the-thymus-in-adults
-- Health Consequences of Thymus Removal in Adults:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10557034/
Do you mind sharing why you are thinking about a thymectomy?
It's my sister wanting answers because she has several auto immune deficiencies and is also a diabetic.
I just join this site, thought maybe could get some answers that Doctors haven't for me. I found that they are not right for me and changed Health care providers. I just had Spinal surgery done by new Neurosurgeon OMG what a difference it made and how helpful he and his team are for me. I don't know if there are any answers here for our issues, no offence meant but everyone is different and what is helpful to one may not be right for another. And if offering advice do, they have all the facts or is personal option? I just saw someone asking if tried this for nerve pain, I looked it up it is for Alcohol abuse didn't see anything on company's page saying anything about also helpful with nerve pain. I think I'll just do more research on my health problems on sites that are by research hospital and .gov sites. So can be more informed to be able to ask Doctors question and know what they are saying. God Bless, be careful what you listen to and who. They may have the greats intentions but still not a doctor.
Lots of meds are used for more than one thing. Viagra was originally prescribed for heart issues but when it was found that it benefited men in a sexual way, as a side effect, it was then formulated just for that purpose. If you read the leaflets that come with medication, it will say this drug can also be used to treat so and so......