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    3. Rheumatology
    4. Autoimmune Disease

    Autoimmune Disease

    At Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, our rheumatology specialists work together to evaluate and diagnose autoimmune diseases. Using advanced diagnostic testing and a multidisciplinary approach, our consultants aim to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms, define the specific condition affecting you, and develop a personalised autoimmune disease treatment plan based on your individual needs.

    • Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues or organs instead of protecting the body from infection. There are more than 80 types of autoimmune disorders, and they can affect almost any part of the body, including the joints, skin, nervous system, digestive tract, thyroid and other organs.

      Some autoimmune diseases affect a single organ, while others involve multiple systems throughout the body. Symptoms can vary considerably depending on the condition and the organs involved.

    • Autoimmune symptoms can differ widely depending on the specific condition, but many share common features.

      Symptoms may include:

      • Persistent fatigue

      • Joint pain, stiffness or swelling

      • Muscle weakness or aches

      • Skin rashes or changes

      • Recurrent fever

      • Digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain or diarrhoea

      • Numbness, tingling or changes in sensation

      • Dry eyes or dry mouth

      • Unexplained weight changes

      • Hair loss

      • Swollen glands

      • Difficulty concentrating or "brain fog"

      Many autoimmune diseases develop gradually, and symptoms may come and go over time. Because these symptoms often overlap with other medical conditions, a thorough assessment is important.

      If left untreated, autoimmune diseases may lead to ongoing inflammation, progressive organ damage, reduced quality of life and, in some cases, irreversible complications. Early diagnosis allows treatment to begin before significant damage occurs.

    • The exact cause of most autoimmune diseases remains unknown. Researchers believe they develop through a combination of genetic, environmental and immune system factors.

      Potential risk factors include:

      • Family history of autoimmune disease

      • Certain genetic variations

      • Viral or bacterial infections

      • Smoking

      • Environmental exposures

      • Hormonal influences

      • Female sex, as many autoimmune diseases are more common in women

      • Increasing age for some conditions

      Autoimmune diseases can affect many different parts of the body, meaning several specialties may be involved in diagnosis and treatment.

      Types of autoimmune disorders include:

      Rheumatological autoimmune diseases

      • Rheumatoid arthritis

      • Psoriatic arthritis

      • Ankylosing spondylitis

      • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

      • Sjögren's syndrome

      • Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)

      • Vasculitis

      Neurological autoimmune diseases

      • Multiple sclerosis

      • Myasthenia gravis

      • Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

      • Autoimmune encephalitis

      Gastrointestinal and liver autoimmune diseases

      • Coeliac disease

      • Autoimmune hepatitis

      • Primary biliary cholangitis

      • Primary sclerosing cholangitis

      • Crohn's disease

      • Ulcerative colitis

      Endocrine autoimmune diseases

      • Hashimoto's thyroiditis

      • Graves' disease

      • Type 1 diabetes

      • Addison's disease

      Dermatological autoimmune diseases

      • Psoriasis

      • Vitiligo

      • Pemphigus

      • Bullous pemphigoid

      Because symptoms often overlap between conditions, an accurate diagnosis is essential to determine the underlying autoimmune disease and identify which specialist services are required.

    • At Mayo Clinic Healthcare, our consultants begin with a detailed consultation to understand your symptoms, medical history, family history and previous investigations before recommending any diagnostic testing.

      Depending on your symptoms, investigations may include:

      • Blood tests, including inflammatory markers, autoimmune antibodies and organ function tests

      • Immunological testing, to identify disease-specific antibodies

      • MRI scans, to assess the brain, spinal cord, joints or soft tissues where appropriate

      • CT scans, to evaluate internal organs when clinically indicated

      • Ultrasound imaging, particularly for joints, glands and abdominal organs

      • Nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG), to assess nerve and muscle disorders

      • Endoscopy, to examine the digestive tract when gastrointestinal autoimmune disease is suspected

      • Skin or tissue biopsy, where a small sample is analysed to confirm certain autoimmune conditions

      • Pulmonary function testing, if autoimmune disease affects the lungs

      Different autoimmune diseases require different investigations, and your consultant may recommend several tests as part of a comprehensive assessment before confirming a diagnosis.

    • Autoimmune disease treatment depends on the specific autoimmune disease, the organs involved and the severity of symptoms. Following a comprehensive assessment, your consultant will develop a personalised treatment plan designed to control inflammation, reduce symptoms and help prevent long-term complications.

      Treatment options may include:

      • Medications that regulate or suppress the immune system

      • Biologic therapies for selected autoimmune conditions

      • Anti-inflammatory medications

      • Corticosteroids where clinically appropriate

      • Treatments that manage individual symptoms

      • Lifestyle advice, including nutrition, exercise and smoking cessation

      • Ongoing monitoring to assess disease activity and treatment response

      Many autoimmune diseases benefit from multidisciplinary care. Depending on your diagnosis, your treatment may involve specialists in rheumatology, neurology, gastroenterology, and other medical specialties at Mayo Clinic Healthcare to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.

      Your Mayo Clinic consultant will tailor your treatment plan to your diagnosis, symptoms, lifestyle and long-term health goals.

       

    • Our patients choose Mayo Clinic Healthcare for our outstanding personalised approach to care which includes:

      • Multidisciplinary care from specialists across a wide range of specialities 

      • Advanced diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing to support accurate diagnosis

      • Personalised treatment plans tailored to your condition and symptoms

      • Internationally recognised consultants with expertise in complex autoimmune diseases

      • Coordinated care when multiple specialties are involved

      • Access to expert second opinions and ongoing disease management

    Private health insurance for rheumatology treatment

    Mayo Clinic Healthcare works with all major private health insurance providers, including AXA PPP, Aviva, BUPA, Health Partners Group, Vitality Health and WPA. Self-pay arrangements are also available.

    Request an Appointment

    If you are experiencing symptoms and are looking for autoimmune disease treatment, book an assessment with a Mayo Clinic Healthcare specialist. Our multidisciplinary team uses advanced diagnostic testing to identify the cause of your symptoms and develop a personalised plan for ongoing care.

     Request an appointment, or call us on +44 (0) 207 871 2575.

     

    Medically Reviewed by

    Dr Anna Nuttall, Consultant Rheumatologist

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