Biohacker Bryan Johnson has shared that he has been diagnosed with an incurable condition that is causing his stomach to ‘eat itself’, as new information about the symptoms is disclosed.
Last week, the American entrepreneur announced via social media that he is suffering from autoimmune gastritis (AIG) – a condition he states affects only two to five percent of individuals.
The 48-year-old tech entrepreneur turned biohacker is a prominent figure in the longevity movement globally.
Johnson invests millions annually in a rigorous anti-ageing regimen aimed at slowing, or even reversing, the ageing process.
Despite his tireless dedication to achieving peak health, Johnson has acknowledged his diagnosis and cautioned others about the symptoms to be aware of.
After enduring years of stress, weight gain, and chronic depression, Johnson’s body initiated an autoimmune response impacting his thyroid and stomach lining, which he attempted to ‘solve’ on his own.
Although he didn’t initially notice any clear symptoms, Johnson thinks there were early indicators of AIG that he missed.
He is not alone in this situation, as those living with the condition often find that it doesn’t always present noticeable symptoms, which can include abdominal pain, iron deficiency, loss of appetite, nausea, or unexplained weight loss.
The condition is also challenging to diagnose.
Following a colonoscopy that ruled out colon cancer, Johnson’s doctors conducted a bidirectional endoscopy to explore his gastrointestinal system further.
The tests revealed increased levels of anti-parietal-cells-antibodies, which led his medical team to consider AIG as a diagnosis.
Though there is no cure for AIG, it can be managed with B12 injections or iron infusions. Johnson himself recently underwent a ‘1,000 mg Monoferric iron infusion’.
His medical team plans to routinely monitor several diagnostics, including ferritin and iron levels, B12, and chromogranin A. Gastrin.
The Mayo Clinic states: “This type of gastritis occurs when your body attacks the cells that make up your stomach lining. This reaction can wear away at your stomach’s protective barrier.”
The Cleveland Clinic highlights several factors that increase the risk of developing this condition.
On X, Johnson wrote: “Current medical standards treat AIG as something to be managed, not resolved.
“We want to change that.”