No cure for autoimmune diseases is available. Instead, initial treatment focuses on replacing or repairing organ function and restoring normal metabolic function as much as possible.

For example, a physician may recommend augmenting missing or depleted hormones or other substances that the affected organ or tissue normally produces. This could mean blood transfusions, thyroid medications, vitamins or other dietary supplements. For type 1 diabetes, patients will require insulin therapy to control glucose (blood sugar) levels and prevent complications.

Treatment may involve using immunosuppressives such as corticosteroids or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs(DMARDs). Immunosuppressives reduce the immune system’s ability to produce antibodies, which reduces the damage they can cause to body tissues. This treatment has many possible negative side effects, including reducing the body’s ability to respond normally to infections. Other possible side effects from long-term use of  corticosteroids may include secondary diabetes, osteoporosis, fractures, glaucoma and cataracts.

Transplanting a viable organ or functioning cells may also help treat certain autoimmune diseases that affect a single organ, such as a kidney transplant for severe glomerulonephritis or a pancreas transplant or islet cell transplant for autoimmune diabetes. However, the new tissue is still susceptible to the immune response that damaged the original one.

Specific treatment for any autoimmune disease will be determined by a physician based on the patient’s:

• Age, general health status and medical history
• Extent of the disease
• Tolerance for specific therapies
• Expectations for the course of the disease
• Personal opinion or preference

Continuous treatment for autoimmune diseases is necessary for the remainder of the patient’s life. Regular consultations with a specialist physician are typically recommended to monitor the treatment and to help prevent complications.

Although environmental factors may play a role in the development of an autoimmune disease, patients apparently must first be genetically susceptible to the condition. Thus, for most autoimmune disorders, prevention may not be currently possible.