Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by wienchee on April 1, 2016 at 8:13pm

Yes they are connected imo. In fact all autoimmune diseases are connected in that the root cause is the same: reactivation of the epstein barr virus (EBV). Over 90% of the general population has EBV. It lays dormant until the host experiences a traumatic event or shock. The body is chronically stressed and the EBV senses elevated levels of stress hormone and reactivates. It infects B cells and tricks the body to attack self tissue thus ensuring its survival.

EBV also triggers the JAK-stat pathway. this is why JAK inhibitors (ie. Xeljanz) are popular treatments for all autoimmune diseases.

Just google epstein barr virus and autoimmune and you will see the abundant amount of research already done on the subject.

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Permalink Reply by wienchee on April 2, 2016 at 12:30pm

absolutely Wildstar. I've read a ton about the subject in the past couple of years. Not just alopecia but the entire autoimmune mechanism. This stemmed from me not being able to comprehend how the body can attack self-tissue in autoimmune diseases. I want to know why not just treat the symptoms.

I have come to the conclusion that all autoimmune diseases are basically just viral infections. They cause low-grade inflammation and molecular mimicry and hide out in B cells. Which is why they go undetected during tests and screens. 

I read a stat that over 90% of MS patients have EBV. Shocking right? And it all just gets swept under the rug...

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Permalink Reply by Louise m on April 2, 2016 at 5:25am

I'm sorry but I just googled what you said I don't have mono I have alopecia universalis and hypothyroidism disease, asthma and eczema if I new people were going to make a laugh of me I would have never signed up to this group

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Permalink Reply by wienchee on April 2, 2016 at 12:23pm

start here:

http://selfhacked.com/2014/06/27/homing-fundamenal-cause-epstein-ba...

then:

http://drhedberg.com/epstein-barr-virus-autoimmune-diseases/

then the studies:

alopecia and EBV: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18329131

lupus and EBV: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jir/2012/370516/

MS and EBV: http://jvi.asm.org/content/81/13/6777.full

hypothyroidism and EBV: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25931043

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see the link

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Permalink Reply by Dom on April 2, 2016 at 7:35am

Hello Louise,

I too have hypothyroidism and AU.

Very common with people with Alopecia.

I had hypothyroidism for over a decade with a full head of head..

Ignore the sleights about other diseases.

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Permalink Reply by Louise m on April 2, 2016 at 11:15am

Thank you so much dom for your honest reply , I asked one question and ended up feeling stupid

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Permalink Reply by Caroline on April 4, 2016 at 12:33am

Hello,  I have Au, since I was 4 years old.   I am now 49.  In 2010, i was also diagnosed  with hashimoto  thyroiditis. From what I have learned,  alopecia  is hereditary.  But I have 3 daughters and all have hair.  I do know a couple  of people that have a daughter that also has Au.  

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Permalink Reply by Louise m on April 4, 2016 at 12:37am

I have 2 daughters and 1 son too, I just read it lies dormant till its triggered by shock or trauma, I feel down stairs when I was one so that's what triggered my au

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Permalink Reply by Katniss on April 4, 2016 at 4:00pm

I have both Hashimoto's and alopecia areata. I am always getting new spots but don't have universalis at the moment. I got Hashimoto's after my second C-section and alopecia kicked in when my aunt died and my brother went missing. I know that once we have one autoimmune disorder, more usually follow. I am paranoid about what will come next! lol! I hate autoimmune issues! So frustrating to treat. I hope my kids won't get this problem. I have two boys and one girl, 9, 7 and 4.

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