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, ten new patients, eight with idiopathic and two with tuberculous Addison's disease, thyroid dysfunction and diabetes mellitus were studied. Five of the eight patients with idiopathic Addison's disease showed significant titers ofantiadrenal antibody and six of these eight showed significant titers of thyroid antibodies. However, neither of the two 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.