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.

Researchers Stress Importance of Thyroid Tests for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is an exciting and happy period in a women's life. It can, however, also be a time when a thyroid condition may become present. Researchers stress the importance of neck examinations for pregnant women so that any thyroid condition can be identified early on. Early detection is critical and many thyroid conditions are easily treated.

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly shaped gland that produces thyroid hormone in the body. Thyroid hormone affects the body's organs such as the heart, brain, liver and even the skin.

According to researchers, over twenty-seven million Americans have an overactive thyroid (called hyperthyroidism or thyroid storm) or under active thyroid (called hypothyroidism), but unfortunately more than half are undiagnosed. More than eight out of ten patients with thyroid disease are women. And nearly one out of every fifty women who become pregnant in the U.S. is diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

A malfunctioning thyroid can be dangerous to both the mother and the developing fetus, so it is recommended that women that are considering pregnancy or are already pregnant get their thyroid checked.

Thyroid Neck Check

Thyroid neck examinations should be performed by a qualified professional. According to professionals, a thyroid neck check consists of examination of the neck for bulges, protrusions, lumps or anything that appears unusual or out of place. A qualified professional can perform the examination with their hands. A physician will feel the area of the neck and the examination could take only a few minutes. If there is a problem, thyroid blood tests might be ordered.

Thyroid Hormone Tests

Although official recommendations by many professionals say that only women with risk factors should have their thyroid tested, some experts disagree and urge all women of reproductive age be evaluated for thyroid disease.

A simple blood test will enable your doctor to check how well your thyroid gland is producing hormone. Thyroid hormone blood tests include Total thyroxine (T4), Free thyroxine index (FTI or FT4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). A combination of tests may be ordered for your specific situation. Results are usually available from your lab within only a few days. A qualified professional should interpret the test results.

Many medications could affect the thyroid gland test, so check with your doctor prior to the tests for a list of any medications that could affect the results. Be sure to inform your doctor as well as your lab technician of any medications that you are currently taking. For more information about thyroid hormone tests, please visit http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/thyroid-hormone-tests

Do You Need a Thyroid Hormone Test?

Endocrinologists recommend that people with a family history of thyroid conditions, autoimmune disorders, heart failure, people above the age of 60, or pregnant women get tested. For more details about who should get a thyroid hormone test, it is recommended that you ask your health care professional.

Enjoy Your Pregnancy

Pregnancy should be one of the happiest times in a women's life. With help of a qualified medical professional team, women are better equipped to handle the joy and sometime stress of pregnancy.

Could Environmental Radiation Be Contributing to Your Thyroid Disorder?

Despite its miniscule dimensions, the tiny thyroid gland plays an outsize role in determining the healthy functioning of the human body. Among its many unique qualities, the thyroid gland has a very high level of sensitivity to radiation in the environment.

Before the twentieth century, the thyroid gland's unusual sensitivity to radiation was not recognized. But as mankind gained the once-unimaginable power to manipulate atoms and handle radioactive materials, ushering in the advent of technologies as diverse as x-rays, radiation therapy, and atomic weapons, this unique property was suddenly thrown into sharp focus.

The thyroid gland absorbs iodine from the bloodstream. However, the gland cannot distinguish between stable iodine and radioactive iodine. As such, in the aftermath of a radioactive explosion or another type of exposure to environmental radiation, the thyroid gland often serves as the suppository for the absorbed substance.

Some scientists have posited that the thyroid's unique ability to store radioactive iodine may be the cause of the dramatic increase seen in thyroid cancer diagnoses in recent years. Although the debate over the significance of environmental radiation continues to range among the endocrinology community, researchers around the world are working to assess the environment's impact on thyroid health. This week, we'll review a few of the key findings that have been reported in recent months.

Study Shows How Radiation Exposure Causes Illness and Injury

While it has long been recognized that radiation exposure often has deleterious health effects, the precise pathways of radiation damage in the body have remained shrouded in mystery. However, the results of a recent study conducted by scientists at renowned research institute MIT have helped to shed more light on the link between radiation and several significant illnesses, including thyroid disorders.

According to the study, a new technique that has been devised can pinpoint with great precision the sites at which radiation damage has occurred. The advanced imaging technology involves the injection of boron into the bloodstream. Then, a special tool is used to temporarily irradiate the body, illuminating areas of damage.

Based on preliminary findings, changes in tissue structure and cell function are the earliest indications of radiation exposure that can eventually cause cancer or other illnesses. Although more investigation is necessary to confirm these findings, the researchers noted that the new technique may be used to develop radiation therapies that are not as invasive or harmful as current methods.

Scientists Study Risks of Secondary Cancer in Patients Who Have Undergone Radiation Therapy

Thanks to numerous medical advances, the survival rates for many types of cancer are now higher than ever. However, these successes have given rise to a number of unforeseen issues -- including an increased risk of secondary cancer among long-term cancer survival. In other words, a growing number of patients who have survived a first bout with cancer are later developing tumors and cancers thought to be caused by radiation therapy.

A team of researchers recently undertook a large-scale analysis of the scientific findings pertaining to radiation-based secondary cancers, the results of which were detailed in the latest volume of the journal Radiation Research. According to their findings, although there does seem to be a clear health risk associated with radiation-based cancer therapy, there is too much variance between treatments and individual cases to derive any sweeping conclusions from the epidemiological patterns.

However, the team did note that one clear recommended change in protocol emerged from the research -- the risk of secondary cancer was decreased considerably when the dose is held to a maximum of ~0.1 Gy. The scientists urged medical professionals who treat cancer patients to keep these guidelines in mind when designing courses of radiation therapy.

Survivors of Atomic Bomb Deployment and Testing Show Higher Incidences of Thyroid Cancers and Other Thyroid Disorders

From the first detonation of an atomic bomb, it was recognized that these weapons were capable of causing destruction on a scale never before imagined. However, what was not initially understood were many of the long-term health problems that would plague those exposed to the blast.

Follow-up studies conducted on populations of survivors who were exposed to wartime blasts and pre-war bomb tests now indicate a sharply increased risk of thyroid cancer and other thyroid disorders among these groups. A recent study of Japanese survivors of the Hiroshima bomb showed thyroid cysts, tumors, and other cancerous growths that far outpaced the rates seen in the general population. Tests on survivors and survivors' descendants in the region of the Chernobyl accident site have revealed similar findings.

Among survivors who withstood first-hand exposure to a bomb blast, thyroid tumors were most likely to occur 55-58 years after exposure. Furthermore, the Hiroshima data showed that the younger the individual was at the time of exposure, the higher their risk was of developing cancer later in life. This result was also found to hold true in tests done around the Chernobyl site. The authors of the study emphasize the importance of monitoring the thyroid health of those exposed to radiation, particularly infants, children, and young adults.

If you're concerned about the role environmental radiation may be playing in your thyroid health, consult with your physician for a personalized risk profile. Please check back each week for more of the research news you need to achieve optimal thyroid health.

Thyroid Cancer Becoming More Prevalent in Korea

Since the year 2000, the number of people that are suffering from thyroid cancer and other types of cancer such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer has dramatically increased in Korea.

What is the Cause for the Increase of Thyroid Cancer in Korea?

Researchers attribute this increase to the nation’s improved medical facilities which enable doctors to diagnose these types of cancers in the area. The move toward a western-style diet is also a factor that has been widely believed to be responsible for the surge in these types of cancers in Korea.

What are the Most Common Types of Cancer in Korea?

The most common type of cancer was stomach cancer, with thyroid cancer coming in a close second. The number of thyroid cancer patients jumped an incredible twenty-five percent since only last year.

Who are the Most Common Victims of Cancer in Korea?

Thyroid cancer has surged particularly among women. The number of colon cancer cases has also dramatically increased and researchers attribute this to a change in the diet toward a heavier one.