I was diagnosed in Jan. I am 48/female. I am visiting my parents and my dad's sister came to visit today. When I told her that I had been diagnosed with a freaky disease called myasthenia gravis..... She said, "I know about it.....mom's sister had it". So....my paternal grandmother's sister had MG. I admit that I am somewhat shocked since everyone seems to think there is not a genetic factor.

There are some genetic markers for susceptibility to autoimmune diseases in general. Are there other autoimmune diseases that run in your family?

I am being tested by 23andme for genetic marker of numerous diseases, many of them autoimmune ($99). I am also testing my daughter, I want to make sure that she did not inherit any of my susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.

https://www.23andme.com/health/all/

kathie

Oh I can beat that. My Mom and 2 of her sisters had MG. Now my sister and I have it. That being said most neuros will tell you it's not inherited.
Mike

This is from my paternal grandmother. I don't know about others....I know that no one in my direct line from my grandmother has an autoimmune disease...but, I am going to check with her siblings children. Just seems extremely "ironic" since it is so rare that two people in my family would have it.... Even more for the family that has siblings with MG.....

In "medicalese"...the sentence is, "MG is said not to be genetic." So, they are saying they haven't solid proof, as yet, however, it can be familial; passed down through generations, as Mike and Mastas know. Kathie said, there are markers. So, you may have MG, and your sibling may have another autoimmune disease that share this particular marker. Or, you both have the marker for MG. I can't speak to the autosomol...ah, recessive...I can't speak to the genetics because it's been too long, and besides, I didn't care what colour the guinea pig was; I just thought they were cute!

Thanks for this info. I am sure it will be useful to many families!
Interested