Thyroid Disorder Linked to Glaucoma

Thyroid disorder may be a newly recognized hazard for developing glaucoma, according to a report posted online in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

The researchers commented that people who are diagnosed with glaucoma are more likely to have a thyroid condition, even as much as 38% more likely during their lifetime.

According to Gerald McGwin, PhD, Department of Epidemiology at the University of Alabama, "These findings suggest that those with a thyroid condition should be sure to see an ophthalmologist and tell them about their condition".

The report revealed a biological link between thyroid disorder and glaucoma.

Treatment of Glaucoma

Fortunately, Glaucoma can be treated with the proper screening and as with most medical conditions, early detection is the key to proper treatment.

Researchers Probe Relationship Between Thyroid Disorder and Glaucoma

A study was conducted on nearly twelve thousand participants from the National Health Survey that was taken in 2002. The researchers used odds rations and confidence intervals, which were used to quantify the link between a self-supported diagnosis of glaucoma and a self-reported thyroid disorder diagnosis. The researchers took into account whether or not the participant was a smoker and their demographic characteristics.

Outcome of the Study

Those with glaucoma that also reported a thyroid problem were 6.5% while those with glaucoma without a thyroid problem were only 4.4%. The researchers took into account risk factors for glaucoma such as gender, race, age and smoking habits, and afterwards the researchers found that the link between thyroid disorder and glaucoma was still significant.

An under active thyroid can lead to chemical deposits in the vessels which serve the eye, and can increase pressure within the eyeball. This is a known feature of glaucoma.

A spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and executive director of the Glaucoma Center in San Francisco, Dr. Andrew Iwach, noted that the possible link between thyroid problems and glaucoma is alarming and should be taken into account, however, the link still needs to be proven. The best prevention method for glaucoma is regular checkups by an Ophthalmologist. Dr. Iwach said, "If you haven't seen an ophthalmologist by age 40, that's a great time to get a baseline exam."

Dr. Iwach continued with noting that people sometimes do not know that they are at risk for developing glaucoma. They might be functioning fine, and over time the disease can "chip away" at the optic nerve, all the while increasing symptoms, which by the time they are noticed, unfortunately there may be nothing that can be done to reverse the damage.

What is the Thyroid Gland?

The thyroid gland makes hormones, which are essential for the normal function of every cell within the body. And these hormones regulate growth, development and the rate of chemical reactions.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is defined as continuous damage to the optic nerve. If left untreated, it can result in blindness.

Evidence Shows a Relation Between Thyroid Disorder, Glaucoma and the Elderly

In a comparable study, the researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago sustain that very many elderly people have undiagnosed thyroid problems; thyroid cancer is included in this list. And elderly patients are nearly twice as likely to be found to have thyroid cancer as younger patients.

Thyroid Cancer and the Elderly

In recent surveys, thyroid cancer was discovered in 41 percent of patients over 65, compared with 22 percent amid patients who were younger, according to the surveys.

Fortunately, thyroid cancer is treatable if diagnosed early, and age should not be a barricade to treatment, explained the researchers, who many were expecting to present their research findings at the 2008 Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons in San Francisco.

Consult a Professional

If you or a loved one is suffering from a thyroid disorder, or suspects that they are suffering from a thyroid disorder, it is imperative that a regular checkup by an ophthalmologist be considered, certainly if the endocrinologist recommends it for screening of glaucoma.

Drinking Water in Some States Contains Chemical That Could Interfere with Thyroid Function

The Associated Press is reporting that Federal Regulators do not have any plans to try and regulate the amount of perchlorate that is in public drinking water, which has been found to pose a risk to individuals' thyroid function. The chemical can also cause developmental health risks, especially for babies and fetuses.

The decision made by the Environmental Protection Agency is not final, however, and the agency will collect public comments for thirty days before concluding the decision process as to whether or not the chemical in drinking water should be regulated.

What is Perchlorate?

The Department of Defense used perchlorate in the testing of rockets and missiles. It is estimated that the drinking water of nearly twenty million Americans is contaminated with the chemical. Perchlorate is the main ingredient of rocket and missile fuel and is an explosive element. The chemical has contaminated the drinking water supplies of many states, particularly Texas and California.

How does Perchlorate Affect the Thyroid?

Perchlorate affects human health by inhibiting iodine uptake into the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland helps to regulate the metabolism in adults and releases thyroid hormones. In children, the thyroid gland is important in proper development.

Perchlorate is becoming an urgent threat to human health and water resources.

Perchlorate and Children

Toddlers are particularly vulnerable to perchlorate in their drinking water because they eat and drink a significant amount of food and water in relation to their tiny size.

A research study conducted by the Environmental Working Group analysis of FDA data discovered that perchlorate levels even as low as four parts per billion in drinking water could possibly expose the average two year old toddler to a dangerous amount of rocket fuel contamination in their every day lives.

Cleanup of Drinking Water

The research findings of the FDA highlight the importance of the cleanup of drinking water so that small children are not exposed to rocket fuel in their drinking water. Perchlorate in drinking water can be minimized through filtration and clean up. The cleanup of perchlorate in food is more difficult because the origination of the chemical is more difficult to pin point.

Importance of Cleanup of Drinking Water

The National Academy of Sciences, also referred to as the NAS, research finding found that the health effects of perchlorate are severe.

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is also referred to as the CDC, have released research conclusions that indicate that American women, especially those with low iodine intake, could possibly have reduced thyroid function as a result of perchlorate exposure. Similar thyroid function effects were not found for men.

Filter Drinking Water at Home to Protect Your Thyroid

Many people are asking the question as to whether tap water or bottled water is better for health. Because of cost, many families prefer tap water as it is more readily available than bottled water. And many prefer tap water because of environmental issues relating to the use of plastic containers that are associated with bottled water.

The standard faucet filter that many people have in their kitchen is not sufficient. Reverse osmosis drinking water treatment systems have been shown to filter out the dangerous perchlorate chemical in drinking water and aid in the protection of thyroid health.

Consult a Professional

If you have questions about your drinking water, perchlorate and the effect that it has on your thyroid health, consult a thyroid health professional.

Epidemic Levels of Patients with Hypothyroid Problems Reported

The thyroid gland plays an important part in overall health and well being. That being said, it is no surprise that the word "thyroid" comes from the Greek words "thyreos" and "eidos" that mean "in from the shield". And the thyroid is like a shield, in a way, and spreads across the front of the trachea.

Measuring only a tiny two inches wide, the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland nonetheless plays a major role in determining your overall health. So when Dr. Jackie Arnold, who practices naturopathic medicine in Great Falls, Montana, came to the realization that the number of people in her office with hypothyroidism is at an epidemic level, she naturally became concerned.

Possible Cause of Hypothyroidism

Dr. Arnold's speculation is that high number of hypothyroid patients in the Great Falls area could have to do with the heavy metals and toxins in the area. Dr. Arnold sates that the toxins in the area can affect the sensitive thyroid gland and she also theorizes that the use of birth control could also add to the high number of thyroid disorders in her area. Dr. Arnold commented that the thyroid is among some of the most sensitive glands in the body and that it can react negatively to being assaulted by estrogen.

Dr. Arnold has noted in her patient population many women who use birth control in younger years may see thyroid-related side effects later in their thirty or forties, even later. Thyroid disorders can cause infertility and problems with menstrual cycles according to Dr. Arnold. "It can also wreak havoc in menopause," Arnold said.

Life of a Hypothyroid Patient

Hypothyroid life can be difficult. A hypothyroid patient can feel sluggish, tired, and out of sorts with many aches and pains. No matter what diet is maintained, the hypothyroid patient can suffer from weight gain due to an underactive thyroid. For the lucky two-thirds of hypothyroid patients who are diagnosed and treated correctly, their hypothyroidism is treated and the patient can achieve complete recovery. Metabolism returns to a correct state of balance, symptoms gradually subside and the patient feels "normal" again.

For the unlucky one-third of hypothyroid patients, diagnosis is not so easy to make. The physicians are not sure what is wrong with the patient and usually conduct a battery of tests, none of which show any abnormalities. It is possible that the physician suspects a thyroid disorder, but the lab tests conducted are either inconclusive or are completely normal.

Whenever the thyroid gland stops functioning properly, a patient needs to take a thyroid hormone supplement. And in the case of hypothyroidism following a thyroidectomy, this is a definitive treatment for hypothyroidism. But in the case of a patient that has not had a thyroidectomy, the treatment may be more complex. In some cases, hypothyroidism can develop after pregnancy or menopause. Thyroid hormones are necessary for body functions and a qualified endocrinologist should be consulted if any type of thyroid disorder is suspected. A thyroid disorder can affect intellect, memory, emotions and many other important factors of a healthy life.

Consult a Thyroid Professional

No treatment strategy is without risk of complications and thyroid therapy is no exception. So if you or a loved one is suffering from a thyroid disorder, it is recommended that a qualified and experienced thyroid professional be consulted right away.