Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type II

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type II is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• Diabetes Mellitus, Addison's Disease, Myxedema
• Multiple Endocrine Deficiency Syndrome, Type II
• PGA II
• Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome, Type II
• Polyglandular Deficiency Syndrome, Type II
• Schmidt Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type II, also known as Schmidt syndrome, is a rare autoimmune disorder in which there is a steep drop in production of several essential hormones by the glands that secrete these hormones. When first described, this disorder was thought to involve only adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) and thyroid insufficiency (Hashimoto's thyroiditis). However, over time, as more patients were studied, the scope of the disorder was expanded to include disorders of other underperforming endocrine glands. These include the gonads, which secrete sex hormones; the pancreas which secretes insulin and is intimately tied up with diabetes mellitus; and sometimes the parathyroid glands. Failure of the endocrine glands to function is usually accompanied by signs of malnutrition because the ability of the intestinal tract to absorb nutrients is reduced dramatically. Since the combination of affected glands differs from patient to patient, the signs of this disorder are diverse.

Most cases of this disorder are sporadic although some clinical researchers believe that there is a familial or hereditary trait associated with AIPS-II. If so, it may involve a complex interaction among many genes.

Resources

Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
1821 University Ave. W.
Suite 5256
St. Paul, MN 55104
Tel: (651)917-6256
Fax: (651)917-1835
Tel: (800)541-5454
Email: mgfa@myasthenia.org
Internet: http://www.myasthenia.org

National Adrenal Diseases Foundation
505 Northern Boulevard
Great Neck, NY 11021
USA
Tel: (516)487-4992
Fax: (516)829-5710
Email: NADFmail@aol.com
Internet: http://www.medhelp.org/nadf

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe, MI 48021-2227
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
Tel: (800)598-4668
Email: aarda@aarda.org
Internet: http://www.aarda.org/

Celiac Sprue Association/USA, Inc.
P.O. Box 31700
Omaha, NE 68131-0700
USA
Tel: (402)558-0600
Fax: (402)643-4108
Tel: (877)272-4272
Email: celiacs@csaceliacs.org
Internet: http://www.csaceliacs.org

American Diabetes Association
National Call Center
1701 N. Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
Tel: (703)549-1500
Fax: (703)549-6995
Tel: (800)342-2383
Email: askADA@diabetes.org
Internet: http://www.diabetes.org

NIH/National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
Tel: (301)654-3810
Fax: (301)907-8906
Tel: (800)891-5389
Email: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niddk.nih.gov

AutoImmunity Community
Tel: (919) 552-9057
Email: bandrews@autoimmunitycommunity.org
Internet: http://autoimmunitycommunity.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  7/23/2007
Copyright  1991, 1996, 2005, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.