JFK Had Autoimmune Addison’s Disease

We know that President John F. Kennedy has Addison’s Disease, but now one doctor can pinpoint that the cause of his disease was autoimmune in nature. Addison’s disease causes “fatigue, dizziness, muscle weakness, weight loss, difficulties standing up, nausea, sweating and changes in mood and personality.” A fraction of cases, about 20% of them, are caused by tuberculosis.

When JFK ran for president, his opponents said he had Addison’s but his doctor denied that he had Addison’s because of tuberculosis. Technically, that was true. However, because he also had hypothyroidism, doctors have concluded that his Addison’s was caused by an autoimmune disorder, polyendocrine syndrome type 2, or APS 2.

Image: Zuma Press