Schmidt's Syndrome (Thyroid and Adrenal Insufficiency) and Coexistent Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

The world literature covering the coincidence of Addison''s disease and either diabetes mellitus and/or thyroid aberration has been reviewed. In addition, 10 new patients, 8 with idiopathic and 2 with tuberculous Addison''s disease, thyroid dysfunction and diabetes mellitus were studied. Five of the 8 patients with idiopathic Addison''s disease showed significant titers of antiadrenal antibody and 6 of these 8 showed significant titers of thyroid antibodies. However, neither of the 2 patients with tuberculous Addison''s disease showed evidence of antiadrenal antibody, but one exhibited thyroid antibodies. Patients with idiopathic rather than tuberculous Addison''s disease showed a higher coincidence of diabetes mellitus and/or thyroid dysfunction.