John F Kennedy (JFK)’s complex medical and surgical history
The 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy (JFK), had a complex medical and surgical history that is now thought to be an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2 with Addison’s disease and hypothyroidism.
He also had gastrointestinal symptoms from adolescence, which now fit well with coeliac disease
“We choose to go to the moon” September 12th, 1962
JFK also experienced chronic back pain beginning in his early 20s. He underwent a total of 4 back operations, including a discectomy, an instrumentation and fusion, and 2 relatively minor surgeries that failed to significantly improve his pain.
Last Reviewed on 7 May 2024