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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