Researchers Probe Healthy Thyroid Cases

If you are like the many thousands of people that have recently discovered that they have a thyroid problem, you are probably also surprised to learn about the many additional health consequences that can develop as a result of your thyroid disease. You are also probably amazed to learn about the growing communities of people who gather to talk about and research this disease that is, unfortunately, growing in numbers. And due to increased public awareness of thyroid disorders, there is more information available about thyroid disorders today than there was twenty years ago, which is fortunate for the new breed of patients who share a common desire - to learn everything they can about thyroid disease.

Each person who is coming to terms with the knowledge of their thyroid disorder deals with it in a different way. There are groups on the Internet that blog about their experiences to increase understanding about thyroid problems. There are thyroid awareness clinics at local hospitals in which doctors will meet with groups of thyroid patients for a question and answer hour, and there are those that scour their library for more information on this growing affliction. However diverse this group of unwilling participants, they all have one thing in common - the desire to have a healthy thyroid.

What is a Healthy Thyroid?

The most common diagnostic test used to measure thyroid health is a TSH test, which stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. When a TSH test is conducted the results are measured against a benchmark which standardizes the norm for the levels of this hormone. The good news is that a TSH test is an easy test to conduct and receive. It is a simple blood test that is can be administered in the privacy of a doctor's office. The bad news is that there are disagreements in the medical community as to what the right levels are. There is a growing community of physicians who surmise that a TSH level of .5 ranging to 5.0 of thyroid hormone is appropriate in the blood. On the other side of the spectrum is a group of physicians who argue that a level of .3 to nearly 3.0 is a more generally appropriate range.

Maintaining a Healthy Thyroid

The rise of the industrial age and the mass production of food has dramatically changed the quality of food that people consume. Many studies confirm that foods which are mass produced can be harmful to thyroid health. A few products which cause acute sensitivity in the thyroid are refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, refined grains and fat metabolism. Distinct fats are exceedingly eventful in all hormonal production because all hormones are created from fats. Trans fats are destructive to the thyroid metabolism because of the interference they create with cellular membrane capacity.

What is Recommended for Thyroid Health?

Researchers have distinguished certain items that help to maintain good thyroid function by preventing excessive thyroid aging, which can cause the thyroid to become dysfunctional in relation to the other organs within the body. The most important item listed by researchers for thyroid health is a well-balanced diet. Although the benefits of organic foods have long been probed for several years, the importance of organic foods have recently been emphasized as a means of maintaining a healthy thyroid. Overuse of chemicals in our food can lead to multiple nutritional side effects.

Scientists also stress the importance of reducing or eliminating the intake of refined or white sugar in the diet as it can cause nutritional imbalances such as insufficient levels of vitamin B in the diet. White flour is a common food item that has little nutritional value and empty calories and should be avoided if thyroid health is a nutritional goal.

Fats and oils which are used almost daily in the preparation of commercially prepared foods can be harmful to thyroid health. A leading physiologist in the study of progesterone and hormones, Ray Peat Ph.D., stated that the sudden influx of polyunsaturated oils into foods after World War II has resulted in many changes in hormones.

Polyunsaturated oils have affected the thyroid gland in that they interfere with its function. These oils are detrimental to hormone secretion, movement within the circulatory system, and the reaction of tissues to hormones. In a scenario in which the thyroid hormone is insufficient, the body is not able to create protective hormones, such as progesterone and pregnenolone, which can result in interference of healthy function of the thyroid. A healthy alternative for cooking is to substitute coconut oils in one's diet, instead of polyunsaturated oils.

Get a Professional Opinion

A consultation with an experienced thyroidologist or an endocrinologist is especially helpful if thyroid health is an issue or concern. Although new research findings represent important strides in thyroid health, much more work will be necessary to pinpoint what exactly is needed for a healthy thyroid and your physician can best determine your needs after a complete examination.

Thyroid Cancer Research Studies and Practices

Despite the small size of the thyroid gland, thyroid cancer has risen in numbers to become the third-fastest growing type of cancer in the United States. Therefore, it is not surprising that new thyroid cancer research is under way in many universities, hospitals and other medical institutions in the United States.

Great strides and improvements are made each year in the discovery of what causes the disease, how to treat the cancer and how to prevent it from occurring. Almost five percent of every cancer case in the United States is thyroid cancer, but the positive news is that this type of cancer responds well to treatment. Studies have shown that thyroid cancer responds well, for example, to a combination of surgery and radioactive iodine treatments. Many times the outcome of treatment results in patients who are cured of their cancer as well as recurrence rates that are lower.

New Research Studies Being Conducted

Recently, the National Cancer Institute granted Ohio State University a multi-year, twelve million dollar award to study this cancer which is becoming more prevalent in modern time. The study will necessitate participation by current faculty members in many of the sectors of the university's Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The focus of the work will concentrate on genetic factors which are predisposed to develop cancer and emphasize on distinguishing between benign or malignant thyroid tumors with a focal point on diagnostic accuracy.

Biopharmaceutical Company Research in the News

A large biopharmaceutical research company, Exelixis Inc., released information recently about an accord it had put together with the Food and Drug Administration regarding a trial drug that will be used to treat thyroid cancer. The accordance came about because the FDA and the drug production company specified how the pilot would be used ahead of time, which is helpful to both organizations because this agreement demonstrates the confidence on both sides that the drug works. Currently there are no approved drugs for this type of cancer.

Thyroid Cancer Trial Results

A study in the 1990s discovered that medullary thyroid cancer, an uncommon cancer that can occur in children who are genetically predisposed to the cancer, can be eliminated if surgery to remove the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) is completed prior to the disease developing. The investigation did not bring up any potential complications of thyroidectomy surgery in the young children. The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine September 2005 issue and indicated that the operation is convoluted and afterwards, the patient must take synthetic thyroid hormone for the rest of their lives.

The study was conducted after researchers uncovered the possibility of children who inherit one of the particular mutation genes called RET to be more likely to develop medullary thyroid carcinoma. The possibility of a child being predisposed can be identified through genetic testing. This trial study was organized to see if these children could avoid the cancer by undergoing preventive thyroidectomy. This study was ground breaking in the field of thyroid cancer research because this type of cancer in young people spreads quickly with few symptoms.

Old Fashioned Medicine

Some tried-and-true methods of diagnosing thyroid cancer include physical examination of the neck by an experienced thyroid surgeon and ultrasound, a painless and non-invasive procedure which can provide your physician with a detailed picture of your thyroid gland.

If you are concerned about thyroid cancer or interested in learning more about research studies being conducted, talk to a cancer specialist who is experienced in the field of thyroid cancer.

For Further Reading:

• http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2008/06/16/daily28.html
• http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/thyroid

Scientists Examine Obesity and Thyroid Disorders

For many obese people, achieving an optimal weight, and then maintaining it can be a lifelong challenge. Even those that diet and exercise regularly can have trouble maintaining a healthy weight.

And because living with excess weight can often lead to other medical ailments, the cycle is difficult to break, which may lead to frustration and a feeling of defeat. The aging process can promote weight gain and lead to difficulties losing weight, but often the culprit may be something that is so subtle that even medical professionals do not pinpoint it upon first examination.

In many cases, an underlying thyroid disorder can be affecting metabolism so much that even the most stringent diet and exercise programs meet with little results. By treating the cause and not the symptom, many obese people are able to achieve the results for which they have worked so hard.

The slowing of the thyroid

The slowing of the thyroid gland, a condition called hypothyroidism, can develop gradually over a period many years. In many cases, the person does not even realize that they are suffering from hypothyroidism, until the day that they understand that their weight is completely out of control. Although many health care professionals state that the link between thyroid disorders and obesity is a myth, because of many differing opinions on this issue, the debate still continues today. It can be confirmed, however, that hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain due to water retention and once the hypothyroidism is treated, the extra pounds go away. But there is still debate among researchers as to the exact percentage of weight gain that can be attributed to hypothyroidism. So it is clear that by eliminating the unknown factor by achieving a hormone balance that is normal, the question as to whether hypothyroidism is affecting one's weight can be answered.

Hypothyroidism is defined as a thyroid disorder of which the body lacks enough thyroid hormone. And because the main job of thyroid hormone is to manage the body's metabolism, any change in the level of this hormone can have dramatic results.

What causes hypothyroidism?

There are several causes of hypothyroidism. The most common is a condition called Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a condition in which the body's immune system attacks its own healthy cells resulting in antibodies being produced and misdirected against the gland. The result is a lower function of the thyroid gland called hypothyroidism. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is more prevalent in women than it is in men and often occurs in women over the age of forty. But this condition can also afflict men. The symptoms include a slowed heartbeat, fatigue, anxiety, memory loss, dry skin, and inability to endure cold temperatures.

Treatment goals of hypothyroidism

The treatment goals of hypothyroidism is to keep the TSH levels under the mid to normal area. Some physicians will be satisfied by getting the patient's TSH levels in the normal range of 1.0, but researchers note that many endocrinologists and thyroid specialists will target a TSH range in a hypothyroid patient that is lower than normal with TSH from 0.3 to 0.5 to see if the patient has a better conclusion of symptoms.

What is TSH?

TSH is an abbreviation for the medical term thyroid stimulating hormone. It is responsible for producing Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) which are needed for normal maturity of the brain. T3 and T4 control the metabolism. Testing for normal TSH levels include a simple blood test and results can be received within a number of days.

What can be done?

If you or a loved one suspects weight gain, or obesity due to a thyroid disorder, it is recommended that you contact an endocrinologist or thyroid specialist right away. If you are not familiar with an endocrinologist or thyroid surgeon in the area, you can search on the Internet or consult your family physician to ask for a referral. Be sure to check with your health insurance carrier to be sure that your policy covers visits to a specialist. You may need to read your policy in detail or call the carrier directly to get confirmation. And as always, if you are able to get permission from your insurance carrier to see a specialist, it is recommended that you get this in writing prior to the physicians visit.

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Researchers Explore the Link Between Hypothyroidism (Low Thyroid) and Chronic Kidney Disease

The Thyroid Gland and The Job of the Endocrine System

The thyroid gland plays an important part in the overall foundation of the endocrine system, which controls hormone regulation within the body. The job of hormones is to stimulate specific cells into action within the body and encourage proper function. And as such, even small alterations in hormone levels can bring on a domino effect, which could create adverse conditions throughout the entire body. Common side effects of thyroid disorders include heart palpitations, anxiety, depression, weight gain, fatigue, and hair loss. In recent years, however, prominent researchers have begun to explore the impact of the thyroid on kidney disease.

The Link Between Chronic Kidney Disease and Thyroid Health

A study conducted by the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology revealed the results of a study conducted on a group of three thousand chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients who were tested for thyroid disease. It was found that almost ten percent of those individuals with chronic kidney disease also had hypothyroidism, which is thyroid disorder defined by low function of the thyroid gland. Additionally, it was found that the more advanced the kidney disease was, the higher possibility that the patient have hypothyroidism. This is demonstrated by the fact that the study found that seven percent of patients with mild CKD had hypothyroidism, while eighteen percent of patients with moderate CKD were diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

Researchers are not yet able to confirm the repercussion of the relationship between CKD and hypothyroidism (low thyroid function). In has been confirmed, however, that when hypothyroidism becomes more critical, it can lead to reduced heart function, which can in-turn lead to accelerated worsening of kidney function. Accordingly, the appearance of subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease could possibly mean that hypothyroidism is a risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease.

What is the Treatment for Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism can be treated quite easily by using thyroid hormone medicine. But the suggested treatment plan can be complicated if the patient has chronic kidney disease. The study by the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology revealed that further studies will examine if thyroid hormone can be harmful to patients with chronic kidney disease.

Undiagnosed Kidney Disease

The National Kidney Foundation reports that almost twenty million Americans could have kidney disease and not even know it. And early diagnoses can give physicians the critical time they need to address the relevant health issues which may occur as a result or in conjunction with kidney disease. Yearly urine tests are recommended by the The American Diabetes association for early diagnosis. Further, it is recommended by the foundation that the urine test should involve the more detailed test in which the urine is sent to a lab, rather than the physician merely using a dipstick in his/her office.

What Exactly is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a severe illness that encompasses several stages over the course of years, in some cases, during which the loss of function within the kidneys. There are five stages of CKD, stage one being slight kidney damage and stage five being established kidney failure. In the past, scientists were able to pinpoint the causes of chronic kidney disease such as diabetes and hypertension. What researchers are just now beginning to discover, however, is that the thyroid disease called hypothyroidism, may also be linked to chronic kidney disease. This is an important discovery because it can lead to further research studies on thyroid function and how it is related to kidney disease, which possibly can reveal further theories as to how the medical community can prevent kidney disease in young individuals from developing later in their lives.

Annual Exams

The idea that most individuals should receive annual exams was deserted many years ago. This is despite the fact that among 1200 random individuals surveyed, the majority stated that they felt an annual exam was necessary in order to achieve optimum preventive medical care. In order to be sure that kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid disorders do not affect you, it is highly recommended that a professional health care provider be contacted and visited with regularly. Annual visits and biochemical analyses with your physician are important to test for these illnesses and, as always, early diagnosis can help treatment achieve more successful results.

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Exploring Undiagnosed Thyroid Problems

According to recent studies, people who have undiagnosed thyroid problems, such as under active or overactive thyroid, appear to have a modestly increased risk of heart disease than those that are treating their thyroid disease by following the advise of a health care professional. It is estimated that over 30,000 preventable deaths a year occur from heart attacks each year in the United States. Further, it is surmised that women with untreated hypothyroidism are more than twice as likely to have a heart attack.

What are the symptoms or warning signs of a thyroid problem?

Signs to watch out for include symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, unexplained weight gain or loss, hair loss, depression, and palpitations. These symptoms may indicate that you possibly have an undiagnosed thyroid disease.

What causes thyroid problems?

Thyroid malfunction is more often than not due to an autoimmune response by the body. This is where the body's immune system produces antibodies which attack the gland and then cause hormone production to be disturbed. Generally the cause is due to intensified levels of dangerous toxins such as chlorinated substances, viruses, pathogens, infections, pesticides, altered enzymes or hormones, etc.

Patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism, a condition in which abnormally low activity of the thyroid gland is present, reported a greater percentage of symptoms than did those with no thyroid issues whatsoever. Hypothyroid patients reported more total symptoms than euthyroid individuals, or those with a normally functioning thyroid gland. But it is important to point out that no single symptom was an indicator of thyroid failure. While there was an increase in the likelihood of thyroid disease as the number of reported symptoms increased, these symptoms are most often inconsequential and develop after time so they go unnoticed.

What steps should be taken?

If you suspect that you may have an undiagnosed thyroid disease, it is highly recommended that you contact a trained health care professional. Testing for thyroid disease is easy to complete with a simple blood test and can help you get on the road towards feeling better.