FAQs

Myasthenia gravis (MG) symptoms most commonly emerge in adulthood. In rare cases, babies born to mothers with MG also may have the condition, but it is usually temporary. Individuals with congenital myasthenic syndromes…

Myasthenia gravis (MG) can be diagnosed in people of all sexes, ages, races, and ethnicities, but is most commonly seen in adult women younger than 40 and in men older than 60. People with thymus gland…

Myasthenia gravis doesn’t necessarily cause pain, but some patients report it. This may be related to muscle weakness, which can lead to changes in posture that cause nonspecific muscle or joint aches.

Self-reactive antibodies that target proteins needed for nerve-muscle communication are the main cause of myasthenia gravis. It is not always known why these antibodies develop, but abnormalities in the thymus gland may be involved in some cases.

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease. It is caused by mistaken immune attacks on the body’s own tissue — specifically, the sites of nerve-muscle communication.

Diagnosing and treating myasthenia gravis earlier is typically associated with better outcomes. If untreated, muscle weakness may progress faster, putting patients at a higher risk of myasthenic crisis, a potentially life-threatening complication. However, the disease course can vary, and there is no way…

Coverage for myasthenia gravis (MG) tests varies by healthcare plan. Patients should talk with their doctors and insurance providers to understand what is covered in their case. Patient assistance programs may also be available to help people with MG pay for certain services.

Blood test results for myasthenia gravis may take different lengths of time depending on the testing location, but often range from a few days to a few weeks. Healthcare providers can give more specific information about when patients can expect results.

Primary care physicians, neurologists, and other specialists may be involved in diagnosing myasthenia gravis, depending on an individual’s symptoms. Eye-related problems are often among the first symptoms to develop, so ophthalmologists may also contribute to diagnosis.

After a thorough physical and neurological exam, a blood test looking for common myasthenia gravis-causing antibodies is a primary way doctors diagnose the disease. In some cases, physicians may use other tests to assess nerve and muscle function.