A significant percentage of people with Friedreich's develop diabetes mellitus, and some patients develop hypothyroidism. Friedreich's Ataxia doesn't affect the parts of the brain responsible for thinking and feeling. As with other aspects of the disease, the effect of FRDA on life span varies from person to person. On average, people with FRDA live for three to four decades after their diagnosis. People with milder disease and later age of onset often live even longer.
Heart disease has the most significant impact on life span.
In the last two decades, the recognition and treatment of cardiac disease in FRDA has allowed many people to live longer than in the past. A number of things are very important for a person with Friedreich's and his or her family to do. Most importantly, they should have a thorough evaluation by a physician or neurologist who is sensitive to all the possible complications of Friedreich's. Evaluation or treatment by a speech pathologist, physical or occupational therapist, and urologist may become necessary as the disease progresses. Patients and families with Friedreich's ataxia should undergo genetic counseling.