polyglandular autoimmune syndrome II

Last reviewed 01/2018

Schmidt first described this condition in patients with both Addison's disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but now is used to refer to any combination of

  • adrenal insufficiency
  • Hashimoto's thyroiditis
  • hypoparathyroidism
  • gonadal failure

Diabetes mellitus is a common association.

The condition has an adult onset. Tests detect endocrine organ specific antibodies. Other diseases with an autoimmune basis - sprue, vitiligo, myasthenia gravis, pure red cell aplasia and antibody mediated immunoglobulin A deficiency may be present. The condition most commonly affects females and is thought to have a genetic basis.

Many of the component endocrine disorders are associated with certain HLA antigens - especially HLA-B8 and HLA-Dw3.

Treatment is restricted to provision of hormone replacement.