Your thyroid is responsible for keeping your metabolism humming along. For those with Graves’ disease, the immune system releases antibodies that stimulate the thyroid, shifting it right into high gear. This can cause weight loss, tremors, and sweating, explains WebMD. These are all signs the gland is working way too hard.

You might already know rheumatoid arthritis damages your joints, but the disease doesn’t just stop there — it can even damage your eyes, skin, or heart, Mayo Clinic says. Because this disease causes a lot of inflammation, it’s usually recommended you take anti-inflammatory drugs or even steroids to halt the joint degeneration in its tracks. For those with a severe case, surgery may be the best option.

Even famous actors are joining in walks to end lupus. | Angela Weiss/Getty Images for Lupus Foundation of America

Crohn’s is a very serious digestive disease. | iStock.com/Nikodash

You’ve heard of multiple sclerosis, and you’re also probably familiar with just how debilitating this disease can be. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society explains MS occurs when your immune system attacks your central nervous system: the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. So, it’s no mystery how severely this disease can impact your life. Multiple tests are required for a diagnosis and the symptoms can be common such as muscle spasms, problems with vision and bladder, and changes in your brain function. As of now, there’s no cure, but long-term remission is possible with a combination of medication and rehab.

We know how to avoid type 2 diabetes by now — maintain a healthy weight, stick to a nutritious diet, and don’t forget to exercise. Those with type 1, however, don’t get much of a say. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says you’re born with this autoimmune disease, and it occurs when your body can’t produce insulin, the hormone that lets your body use sugar. Without insulin, you’d be hard-pressed to have enough energy to do anything.

The American Thyroid Association says this thyroid disorder is even more prevalent than Graves’, and it’s the most common reason for an underactive thyroid. Your immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to chronic inflammation and impaired function.

Perhaps not the most well-known on the list, polymyalgia rheumatica will affect 59 out of every 100,000 people over the age of 50, says the Vasculitis Foundation. This autoimmune condition occurs when your system primarily attacks the joints in your shoulders and hips, though your arteries and aorta can also be affected. Those under the age of 50 don’t have much to worry about, but those who do have it should expect a lot of stiffness in the shoulders, hips, and neck, as well as difficulty raising their arms above their head.

Psoriasis might just look like a small, treatable rash, but it’s actually an indicator of an overactive immune system. The National Psoriasis Foundation says the most common type, plaque psoriasis, looks like red, raised patches of skin that are typically seen on the scalp, knees, elbows, or lower back. The affected skin itself might just seem like a nuisance, but beware — if you do have this condition, you’re at an elevated risk for other chronic health conditions like psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, and even some cancers. Luckily, there are a lot of treatment options, including oral and topical choices.

We know the gluten-free trend has taken the health world by storm, but some people really benefit from it more than others. If you have Celiac disease, ingesting gluten causes your body to attack and damage the small intestine, the Celiac Disease Foundation explains. What’s particularly worrying is just how many people have this condition and don’t know. Abdominal pain, digestive issues, and anemia are all common symptoms, but the foundation still thinks about 2.5 million Americans have undiagnosed Celiac. Without treatment, this can lead to type 1 diabetes, MS, infertility, or neurological problems.

This disorder often accompanies other autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The most notable symptoms are excessively dry eyes and mouth, though the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation explains it can also affect your major organs and central nervous system. Unfortunately, ladies really need to pay attention to these symptoms — there are currently about 4 million Americans with this disease, and nine out of 10 are women.

When you have autoimmune hepatitis, your immune system attacks your liver, resulting in inflammation. Some forms of hepatitis can be cured, but the American Liver Foundation explains this one is a chronic disease that has no permanent fix. The symptoms of this condition can be minor, but when you may notice jaundice, dark urine, or discomfort in your abs. And this autoimmune disease typically happens quickly, without warning. Medications can help slow liver damage, but there’s still no cure.

Here’s another autoimmune skin condition, but it’s the pigment of the skin that’s affected this time. Medical News Today explains this chronic disease causes the body to destroy the cells that produce skin pigment, leaving behind white marks. Though it’s most noticeable on people of color, vitiligo can affect anyone. Right now there’s no cure, but for many, that’s not a problem — it’s becoming more widely recognized, even in the fashion world. And Vitiligo Support International notes over 50 million people have it, so it’s not all that uncommon, either.

Many women can’t imagine life without their long, luscious locks. But for those with alopecia, hair loss is an everyday problem. WebMD explains this autoimmune disease occurs when your body attacks your hair follicles. The damage isn’t permanent, but it can still result in bald spots, thinning hair, or hair breakage. And it doesn’t just occur on the scalp — you may notice patches of hairless skin on your body, too.

Here are a few tips on how to get the most accurate diagnosis. | iStock.com