Autoimmune Diseases - Genetic Lifehacks

Pernicious Anemia: Genomics and B12 Deficiency

Pernicious anemia is a B-12 deficiency anemia caused by an autoimmune attack on the cells that produce intrinsic factor. Learn how genes impact susceptibility to pernicious anemia.

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.

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.

Is POTS genetic? Research on genetic variants and POTS

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 mast cell activation syndrome

Mast cells: Mast cell activation syndrome, 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.

Inclusion Body Myositis: Genomics and Solutions

Inclusion body myositis is a progressive, chronic condition that causes muscle weakness. It may be an interplay between inflammation, the dysregulation of proteins, mitochondrial dysfunction, and changes to autophagy. Somewhere in the mix, autoimmunity may be triggering it.

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, Genetics, and Natural Inhibitors

Do you feel like you are constantly 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)

Celiac Genes: How to Check Your Raw Data

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.

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. It 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.

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.