Aplastic anemia is a potentially fatal condition of decreased red blood cell production.
The Study
In a recent study, researchers report remission of aplastic anemia in a child with coexisting aplastic anemia and Graves' disease who was successfully treated for Graves' disease with anti-thyroid drugs.
The article, Remission of aplastic anemia induced by treatment for Graves' disease in a pediatric patient, by PK Das, D Wherrett and Y Dror was published in Feb 2006 in Pediatric Blood Cancer.
Causes of Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia has long been associated with immune system toxicity resulting from various chemicals, including the antibiotic chloramphenicol. In recent years, aplastic anemia has been regarded as primarily being mediated by T-cell autoimmunity.
Anti-thyroid Drug Therapy
In the case reported, the child was first diagnosed with Graves' disease and then began treatment with anti-thyroid drugs. Aplastic anemia was later diagnosed and the anemia was subsequently confirmed to not be related to the anti-thyroid drug therapy.
Autoimmune Origin
Because patients with one autoimmune disease are more likely to develop a second autoimmune disease than other people, the researchers concluded that both diseases were caused by an autoimmune process.
Remission
As the hyperthyroidism in Graves' disease showed signs of remission, the aplastic anemia also resolved. No conventional treatment specific for aplastic anemia was used. The child remains in remission from both diseases.
Conclusion
Healing the source of the disease, the autoimmune process, rather than treating the organs that are affected has far-reaching benefits.