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More INFORMED:

Types of Myasthenia gravis

MG may not be the same for everyone

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare disease that can take multiple forms and affect people in different ways. While generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) is the most common, there are a number of different types of MG. Understanding the type of MG someone has can help guide discussions with their doctor about symptom management. Read more below about the types of MG.

TYPES OF MG

Most people (85%) with MG experience vision problems as their first symptoms: blurred or double vision (diplopia), drooping eyelid (ptosis), or both. The muscle weakness that causes these symptoms usually progresses to other parts of the body, becoming gMG. However, about 15% of patients continue to have only symptoms of ocular MG.

gMG causes muscle weakness in different parts of the body that can affect speech, eating, breathing, and muscles in the legs, arms, and neck.

  • Three out of 4 peoplewill develop generalized weakness within 2 to 3 years after their MG symptoms begin
  • gMG is the most common type of MG, comprising 85% of cases

In addition to observing symptoms, testing for the presence of certain antibodies that cause muscle weakness can confirm a diagnosis of gMG. These antibodies include:


  • Anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies, found in 85% of gMG cases
  • Anti-muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) antibodies, found in ~7% of gMG cases
  • Anti-lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4) antibodies, found in 5% of gMG cases

A type of MG in which someone may experience the symptoms of MG but does not test positive for certain antibodies.

MG that begins before the age of 50. Three times as many women experience early-onset MG as men.

MG that begins after the age of 50. Men are more likely to experience late-onset MG than women.

In approximately 11% to 24% of people with MG, symptoms can begin before the age of 18.

During pregnancy, it is possible for a mother with MG to pass her autoantibodies to her unborn child. In fact, 10% to 15% of children whose moms have MG will experience symptoms of muscle weakness. The good news is the symptoms are treatable and transient neonatal MG typically lasts days to a few weeks before it goes away for good, leaving the baby in normal health.

Congenital MG (also known as congenital myasthenic syndrome) is a genetic disorder that usually appears in infancy and causes muscle weakness and symptoms that resemble those of MG. In fact, congenital MG is a genetic disorder, whereas MG is an autoimmune disease.

Remember, the treatment someone receives may be different based on their specific needs. Ongoing symptom management is an important aspect to consider when living with MG.

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