Tech entrepreneur and biohacker Bryan Johnson has revealed that he has been diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis (AIG), an incurable autoimmune condition that attacks the stomach lining and can lead to nutrient deficiencies, anaemia and an increased risk of stomach cancer.
Johnson, who is known for spending more than $1 million each year on his longevity programme, disclosed the diagnosis in a post on social media, saying it was confirmed after a series of medical tests.
The 48-year-old said he began investigating the cause of persistently low ferritin levels in May, describing the diagnosis by writing: “My stomach is eating itself.” He added that he was uncertain how long he had been living with the condition.
According to Johnson, he had experienced unexplained low ferritin levels for more than a decade without developing anaemia. Further medical investigations revealed elevated anti-parietal cell antibodies, while a stomach biopsy confirmed the early stages of autoimmune gastritis.
He also disclosed that he was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at the age of 21 and has managed the condition for almost 30 years. Autoimmune gastritis is more common among people with other autoimmune disorders, including thyroid disease.
Johnson believes the condition may have gone undetected for years because its symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, reduced appetite, iron deficiency and unexplained weight loss, can easily be mistaken for those of other illnesses.
Despite the diagnosis, the entrepreneur said he is determined to explore treatment possibilities beyond conventional medical approaches.
“When AIG is discovered today, standard medical care concedes defeat, stating that nothing can be done except managing the condition, no matter how awful or lethal the effects,” he said.
Johnson explained that his medical team will continue to closely monitor his iron levels and other biological markers while researching potential ways to better understand the disease. He acknowledged that there is currently no approved cure for autoimmune gastritis.
He also expressed optimism that advances in artificial intelligence, genomics and biotechnology could eventually produce new treatment options, arguing that diseases considered incurable today may become treatable as medical science progresses.
The Silicon Valley entrepreneur gained international attention through his ambitious anti-ageing programme, which combines a strict diet, intensive exercise routine and extensive medical testing aimed at slowing the ageing process. He also featured in the Netflix documentary Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, which follows his efforts to extend human lifespan.
Reaffirming his long-term ambition in a separate social media post, Johnson wrote: “I don’t intend to live a little. I intend to live more than any human who has yet lived and invite you to join.”
