Autoimmune Diseases: Genetics plus Triggers
A list of articles for an in-depth look at the background science, research studies, and genetic variants related to the triggers of autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune Diseases
Genetic susceptibility combines with environmental factors (toxins, pathogens, diet, lifestyle) to cause most autoimmune diseases.
Understanding the genetic variants that you carry may help you to find the right solutions for YOU.
Member’s: Check out the Autoimmune Topic Summary Report for a quick overview of all your genetic variants related to autoimmune diseases.
Alopecia Areata: Reasons for Rapid Hair Loss
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune-like disorder in which the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Learn about the triggers of alopecia areata, why the hair falls out, genetic variants that increase susceptibility, and possible treatment options.
Raynaud’s: Causes, Symptoms, and Genetics
Do your fingertips turn white and blue when cold? Discover the causes and symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome and your genetic susceptibility.
Genetics, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Long Covid
A look into the science of the lingering effects triggered by viruses including chronic fatigue syndrome and long-haul viruses.
Vaccines, Genetics, and Autoimmune Diseases: A roundup of the research
A look into the research-backed studies showing how certain vaccines may slightly increase the absolute risk of autoimmune diseases in susceptible individuals. (Member’s article)
PTPN22 and Autoimmune Diseases
The PTPN22 gene plays a pivotal role in that balance, and genetic variants (SNPs) in PTPN22 increase your risk of autoimmune conditions such as vitiligo, alopecia, RA, type 1 diabetes, and autoimmune thyroid diseases. (Member’s article)
Emulsifiers in Processed Foods: Your genes and your microbiome
Emulsifiers, found in a lot of processed and packaged foods, can trigger an inflammatory response in the intestines based on whether you carry specific genetic variants.
TNF-alpha: Inflammation and Your Genes
Do you feel like you are always dealing with inflammation? Joint pain, food sensitivity, etc? Perhaps you are genetically geared towards a higher inflammatory response. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an inflammatory cytokine that acts as a signaling molecule in our immune system.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Genes: Root Causes
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an immune system attack on the joints, causing thickening and inflammation of the joint capsule. It is caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers. (Member’s article)
How to check your genetic raw data for celiac genes
Celiac disease is caused by a combination of environmental factors (eating gluten, other factors) and having the genetic variants that cause susceptibility to the disease. Without the genetic susceptibility, you won’t have celiac.
HLA-B27: Genetic Variant That Increases Susceptibility to Autoimmune Diseases
Our immune system does an awesome job (most of the time) of fighting off pathogenic bacteria and viruses. But to fight off these pathogens, the body needs to know that they are the bad guys. This is where the HLA system comes in.
How Your Genes Increase Susceptibility to POTS
Do you feel lightheaded when you stand? Does your heart suddenly race? POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) is a problem with the way that your autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate.
There are multiple triggers or root causes of this syndrome, and genetic variants can increase your risk for POTS.
Genetics and Lupus: How your genes increase lupus risk
Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease that can impact several different systems in your body. Learn more about how your genetic variants impact the “why” for this autoimmune disease.
Familial Mediterranean Fever: Mimics fibromyalgia, arthritis, inflammation
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a genetic condition of inflammatory episodes that cause painful joints, pain in the abdomen, or pain in the chest, and is most often accompanied by a fever. FMF is often misdiagnosed as various pain-related conditions such as fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, or gouty arthritis.
Thyroid Hormone Levels and Your Genes
The thyroid is a master regulator controlling many of your body’s systems. It is integral for metabolism and body temperature. Learn more about specific thyroid-related variants and check your genetic raw data.
Ringing in your ears? Genetics, Tinnitus, and Meniere’s disease
Genetics plays a role in both Meniere’s disease and tinnitus. Understanding your genetic susceptibility may help point you to the right solutions.
Mast cells: MCAS, genetics, and solutions
Mast cells are essential to your innate immune system, defending against pathogens and allergens. For some people, mast cells can be triggered too easily, giving allergy-like responses to lots of different substances.
Autoimmune Summary Report
Utilize our Autoimmune Topic Summary Reports with your 23andMe or AncestryDNA genetic data to see which articles may be most relevant to you. These summaries are attempting to distill the complex information down into just a few words. Please see the linked articles for details and complete references. (Member’s article)
Chronic Inflammation & Autoimmune Risk: IL17 gene variants
The IL17 gene codes for an important part of the immune system. When it is overactive, IL-17 can contribute to the risk of autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Autoimmune Disease Genetic Risk Factors: CTLA-4 Gene
The CTLA4 gene codes for a protein that is important in the immune system. It acts as a checkpoint that can downregulate your immune system response. Genetic variants in the CTLA4 gene can increase your risk for several different autoimmune diseases. (Member’s article)
Psoriasis Genes
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes dry, sometimes itchy patches of skin. It is caused by the immune system attacking your skin cells, speeding up the turnover of the cells. Genetics plays a role in your susceptibility.