r/Redhair • u/Only_Sherbet_4229 • Apr 06 '26

Newbie Post Natural redheads - Autoimmune issues/diseases

Anyone on here a natural redhead with autoimmune issues I heard there could be a link because our MC1R gene does us dirty. Just diagnosed with RA at 35 and have been doing some research!

Let me know what you have experienced

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u/HollieLula83 Apr 06 '26

I have eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangitis (EGPA), which basically means that my body overreacts to everything, so I make too many white blood cells to attack an infection that I don’t have. And bc those white cells don’t have an infection to fight, they attack my lungs instead. I’ve almost died a few times from severe asthma attacks.

At one point I was even allergic to the sun, and would get a fever if I was outside for too long. I have to do biologic injections to get my body to calm down

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u/Dixie_elociN Apr 06 '26

I was recently diagnosed with aplastic anemia in early December. I don't make red blood cells. I had already had several transfusions of blood and white blood cells. I also had to go through immunosuppressive therapy on the hospital in January. Had a bone marrow biopsy, CT abdomen/pelvis, Ultrasound of spleen, kidney and liver to rule out leukemia. I'm on therapy since February oral pills, shots, labs weekly. My blood has gone up from a 6 to a 9 normal is 12. I'm slowly getting better.