Thyroid Autoimmune Disease: Could Asbestos be a Factor?

One of the most mysterious and hard-to-treat class of illnesses, autoimmune disorders occur when the body's illness defense system begins to attack itself. For reasons that remain largely unclear, the immune system goes haywire, raising its defenses against its own organs and tissues.

Diagnoses of thyroid autoimmune disorders have increased in recent years. In diseases like Graves disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the body fails to recognize the thyroid as one of its own glands, and instead begins to attack it as if it were a foreign intruder. As result of this onslaught from the immune system, the thyroid's ability to function properly is impaired. The result is either a sluggish or hyperactive thyroid. This, in turn, can cause a whole host of related health problems.

The mystery of what causes autoimmune disorders has puzzled doctors and scientists for centuries. What prompts the body to fail to recognize its own tissues or organs? Over the last few decades, dozens of theories explaining this strange phenomenon have been developed and tested. However, no conclusive answer has yet been found.

One of the most plausible theories that have been advanced to explain autoimmune disorders contends that environmental factors may interfere with the body's ability to recognize its own tissues and organs. According to this theory, environmental pollutants and contaminants may play a major role in autoimmune disorders. One of the chief suspected culprits is asbestos, a compound long used for insulation in building and construction.

Some recent research appears to support this account. This week, we'll review the results of a study that explored a possible connection between asbestos, autoimmune disorders, and thyroid health.

The study, which may prove to be one of the most significant breakthroughs in the decades-long quest to uncover the origins of autoimmune disorders, was published in a recent issue of the peer-reviewed health journal, Environmental Health Perspectives.

Conducted by researchers at the Center for Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Montana, the study involved in-depth assessment and health profiling of approximately 50 residents in the community of Libby, Montana. As the result of years of vermiculite mining, manufacturing, storage, and distribution, the town is so severely contaminated with asbestos that is received official designation as a federal Superfund site in 2002.

The thorough health assessments that were performed on the 50+ Libby residents who participated in the study were consistent with many of the known problems that are linked to long-term asbestos exposure. For example, over 75% of the study's participants displayed evidence of asbestos-related lung problems and respiratory disorders.

However, in addition to the long-known health problems associated with asbestos exposure, the researchers also identified a number of lesser-known risks. The most significant finding was that over 25% of the asbestos-exposed participants had elevated levels of antinuclear antibodies in their bloodstreams. These antibodies are often found in people who suffer from autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid autoimmune disorders, and many others.

The longer an individual had been exposed to environmental asbestos, the higher the level of bloodstream antinuclear antibodies they were likely to have. It was also found that people with more severe asbestos-related lung problems had significantly higher rates of the antinuclear antibodies in their bloodstream.

The researchers acknowledged that these findings represented just one small part of the larger autoimmunity puzzle that has been confounding researchers for years. However, the potentially groundbreaking implications of the incontestable link between asbestos exposure and autoimmunity risks cannot be ignored. Still, additional studies are necessary in order to confirm and expand upon these results.

The next phase of the study, which will continue to be coordinated through the Center for Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Montana, will seek to measure the rate of autoimmune diseases among Libby residents who have a history of asbestos exposure. The findings drawn from the ongoing research will help clarify whether a causal relationship between asbestos exposure and autoimmunity does, in fact, exist.

If you're concerned about the way that asbestos exposure could impact your thyroid function and your overall health, talk to your doctor for a personalized risk assessment. Please be sure to check back each week for more of the thyroid health news you need.

What is Hypothyroidism?

The most common thyroid disorder is called hypothyroidism. It is described as a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism is most common in women who are in their middle ages. Although less common, hypothyroidism does occur in children. Neonatal hypothyroidism is a dangerous condition in which a pregnant woman suffers from hypothyroidism. It can lead to problems with the un-born fetus such as mental retardation, jaundice, and growth problems. Prompt treatment, however, can minimize these problems during a pregnancy.

Many patients report that before being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, they suffered from fatigue and weight gain. After treatment, energy and other tedious symptoms disappeared. One patient reports "I have more energy and my memory isn't hazy anymore. I actually feel like getting off of the couch."

Causes of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder in which the antibodies attack and gradually destroy the thyroid gland. In many countries, the lack of iodine in people's diets can lead to hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland requires iodine to operate correctly. Severe iodine deficiency is not seen in the U.S., Japan and some countries in Europe where there is a sufficient supply of iodine in water and food.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, weight gain, sleepiness, depression, constipation, an enlarged thyroid, intolerance to cold, hoarse voice and forgetfulness.

Treatment for Hypothyroidism

The treatment for hypothyroidism requires the replacement of thyroid hormones with medication. The easiest method of which to accomplish involves a synthetic form of T4 that is taken in pill form. T4, also called thyroxin, is the thyroid storage hormone. Doses are adjusted and prescribed by a health care professional.

It is important to understand that the failure of the thyroid gland in hypothyroid patients is a gradual process; therefore, a dose that is appropriate for a patient one year may subsequently be too low the following year.

Consult your Doctor

Preventive measures include a simple blood test called the thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH test. This will give your health care professional the data he/she needs to ward off the disease before its onset.

After treatment has begun for hypothyroid patients, it is important that the patient have long-term follow up treatment so that thyroid hormone and TSH levels can be re-checked. Hypothyroidism is a relatively easy illness to treat and keep under control, and in most cases, the medicine does not have any negative side effects.

Please check back each week for more of the thyroid research news for your health.

Thyroid Function and Hormone Replacement Therapy: A Guide for Women

The transition to menopause can be a trying time for many women. Although the term "menopause" technically refers to the cessation of the monthly menstrual period and the decline of fertility, this change ushers in an array of other health challenges.

As many thyroid patients already know, even a slight fluctuation in hormone levels can pose a threat to one's overall health and well-being. The sometimes-dramatic decline in estrogen production that accompanies the onset of menopause can cause a number of difficult symptoms, as well as putting women at higher risk for a broad spectrum of illnesses and injuries.

In order to ease the transition to menopause and reduce the health problems associated with declining estrogen levels, the practice of prescribing synthetic hormones to replace the estrogen produced naturally by the body became popular in the 1990s. However, despite the efficacy and popularity of this treatment, it has garnered some negative attention after studies indicated a link to higher risks of conditions such as breast cancer, stroke, and heart disease.

Thyroid patients who are thinking about hormone replacement therapy have other considerations to mull over, as well. Because thyroid disorders can create havoc in the endocrine system, which produces and distributes hormones in the body, they face unique risks when undergoing hormone replacement therapy.

This week, we'll take a look at the positive and negative effects, the pros and cons, of hormone replacement therapy for thyroid patients.

A Sudden Change in Protocol

Because women with thyroid disorders are often at higher risk for heart disease, it was long thought to be advantageous to use hormone replacement therapy to reduce this risk as thyroid patients approached menopause. However, the safety of this treatment was thrown into question when the results of a landmark study were released in 2002.

A large-scale investigation conducted by the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute found that the pill forms of hormone replacement therapy were not as safe as previously thought. Indeed, among women who took the most popular hormone replacement pills, the risk of many serious health disorders was shown to be significantly higher.

The negative outcomes noted in the experiment included conditions such as pulmonary embolisms, invasive breast cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Although some positive health benefits were associated with the hormone replacement therapy -- in addition to alleviating menopause symptoms, the drugs also proved to be protective against colon cancer and weakened bones -- the scientists determined that the total risks outweighed the positive aspects. Indeed, so great was the level of perceived risks that the massive study was halted mid-way.

With these dramatic findings, the longstanding practice of treating menopausal thyroid patients with hormone replacement therapy as a measure of protection against cardiovascular problems was suddenly called into question. Although pill-based hormone replacement therapy continues to be prescribed for some thyroid patients, it is generally no longer recommended for long-term use. Most experts agree that the continued need for hormone replacement therapy should be re-evaluated on a case-by-case every three to six months.

What Can You Do?

If you're a menopausal woman who is also treated for a thyroid disorder, you have several options for hormone replacement therapy. As discussed previously, you could opt for short-term use of conventional, pill-based hormone replacement medication. This type of treatment usually involves using the therapy sporadically as menopausal symptoms occur. In this scenario, you would consult with your physician frequently to make sure that your treatment is used only as long as the symptoms demand it.

Some women have opted to use soy-based estrogen treatments rather than synthetic hormones. While this option has proven effective against a number of the most common menopausal symptoms, it might not be advised for women with hypothyroidism. This is because soy products are believed to inhibit thyroid function in some patients. Additionally, some reports have indicated that soy intake may block the absorption of thyroid medication.

Many thyroid patients have sought out alternative therapies to help ease symptoms of menopause. Consulting with an osteopath, naturopath, or another qualified holistic healthcare provider will help you achieve a better understanding of available treatments and their safety and effectiveness.

If you're concerned about weathering the challenges and changes of menopause while maintaining healthy thyroid function, talk to your doctor to develop a comprehensive plan for treatment and prevention. Be sure to check back each week for more thyroid health news.

For Further Reading

• http://www.womenshealthlondon.org.uk/leaflets/hrt/hrt.html

• http://thyroid.about.com/library/news/blhrt.htm

• http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/graves_disease/87816

Significant Decline of Thyroid Cases in Kashmir

Researchers probe the significant decrease of thyroid cases reported in Kashmir. According to doctors, thyroid cases in Kashmir declined an astonishing seventy-five percent. Dr. Khursheed Ahmad, a medical professional in Kashmir, stated that thyroid related medical conditions are more common in females now. Earlier, nearly forty percent of people in Kashmir - including children - suffered from various types of thyroid disorders and this was attributed to the deficiency of iodine.

Kashmir Recent History and The Medical Care in the Region

Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. The economy in Kashmir is centered around agriculture. The country was badly damaged by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in 2005, which resulted in over seventy thousand deaths. As a result of the earthquake, many medical facilities had been destroyed.

The Kashmir lifestyle is traditionally slow paced and the people enjoy religious diversity. The people of Kashmir are known to take pleasure in their music within local forms and traditional dress of both sexes is quite common.

The majority of the populations in Kashmir dwell in remote areas, meaning people often do not get proper medical care and counseling. Adequate medical care is available in the major population centers, but is crowded and sometimes understaffed.

Goiters

A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland that often produces a noticeable swelling in the front of the neck. Goiters can sometimes be caused by iodine deficiency, inability of the body to use iodine efficiently, or a variety of other thyroid disorders. Thyroid swellings, known as goiters, are a major health care issue in Kashmir.

Past Thyroid Problems in Kashmir

According to researchers, during the early 1990s, thyroid problems were at their peak in Kashmir. Almost nineteen thousand children in over two hundred villages of Kashmir suffered from iodine deficiency related thyroid disease. Fortunately, due to community awareness campaigns, this trend of thyroid disease in the region is on the decline as people in Kashmir are now refraining from using non-iodized salt.

Do thyroid problems run in the family?

Overall, thyroid diseases affect women much more frequently than men. More than eight out of ten patients with thyroid disease are women. Being female, over forty years of age, having a close family member with thyroid disease, and recently having a baby are factors that can increase the chance of thyroid disease. A woman faces as high as one in five chance of developing thyroid problems during her lifetime, a risk that increases with age. And for those with a family history of thyroid problems, the risks are even higher.

Family history linked to early thyroid diagnoses

Researchers have found that family history and the lower median age at diagnosis are factors significantly associated with thyroid illness. However, most Americans are not aware of the association. To counteract this lack of awareness, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) has launched a new campaign: "The Neck's Generation: Thyroid Genealogy" to spotlight the link between genetics and thyroid disease.

A family concern

Health issues are a family concern. Research shows that there is a strong connection between thyroid disease and other autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, anemia, and arthritis. Because autoimmune diseases are hereditary and some health problems run in a family tree, AACE recommends Americans pay particular attention to health issues among family members. Education and communication are key to early diagnosis.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just below the Adam's apple and above the collarbone. Thyroid diseases affect more than thirteen million Americans - unfortunately more than half remain undiagnosed. Researchers recommend that people with a family history of thyroid disease get tested, especially if they are experiencing some of the most common symptoms. It is estimated that more than half of the American population has never been tested for thyroid disease.

What are the symptoms of thyroid disease?

The most common symptoms of thyroid disease include fatigue, forgetfulness, depression and changes in weight or appetite. Also common are symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, sensitive eyes, heart palpitations and hand tremors. It is very easy to explain away symptoms. After all, most Americans work very long hours, juggle many responsibilities and are getting older. It is only normal to sometimes feel tired. Isn't it?

Compounding the urge to explain away thyroid symptoms is the fact that, like other autoimmune symptoms, thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Graves ‘ disease also have a tendency to appear during or after periods of stress.

Ask your doctor

If you suspect you have a thyroid problem, speak to your doctor. Your health care professional will want to know about your family history. Do you have parents, grandparents, siblings or children with thyroid disease? Do any of your family members have other autoimmune diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis? If so you will need to discuss this with your doctor.