Biohacker Bryan Johnson Discloses Diagnosis of Autoimmune Gastritis
Bryan Johnson, a 48-year-old biohacker, announced he has been diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis, an incurable condition that has caused stomach damage and iron deficiency.
Bryan Johnson, known for documenting his longevity experiments, revealed on social media that doctors have diagnosed him with autoimmune gastritis, a rare autoimmune disease affecting the stomach lining. He said the condition, which he estimates affects only 2 to 5 percent of people, has led to irreversible damage, nutritional deficiencies, anemia and an elevated cancer risk.
Johnson, who previously struggled with stress, weight gain and depression, was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism at age 21 and has been taking thyroid medication since then. He noted that low ferritin levels without anemia were an early indicator, but the connection to autoimmune gastritis was only made after extensive testing, including a colonoscopy, bi-directional endoscopy, blood biomarker analysis and stomach biopsies.
"Iron and thyroid feed each other both ways, low iron impairs the conversion of thyroid hormone into its active form and an underactive thyroid impairs how the body uses iron," Johnson explained.
Blood tests showed elevated anti-parietal-cell antibodies, and biopsies confirmed early weakening of the stomach lining. While the disease cannot be cured, it can be managed with vitamin B12 injections and iron infusions; Johnson received a 1,000 mg Monoferric iron infusion.
He said he will continue to monitor ferritin, iron, B12 and gastrin levels, repeat biopsies and explore experimental interventions as part of his ongoing health regimen.
