The Thyroid Blog

Contrary to Previous Studies, Low Levels of Perchlorate Exposure Are Safe For Pregnant Women, Say Endocrinologists

(Oct. 6, 2007) Despite great concerns that small amounts of ingested perchlorate—a chemical which is ever-present in the environment—decreases thyroid function among individuals, it has no effect on the thyroid function of women in early pregnancy, including those with a low-iodine diet, according to a new study being presented on Saturday, Oct. 6, at the 78th Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) in New York.  Thyroid hormone is critical for the neurodevelopment of a fetus—particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy—and requires the mother to receive an adequate intake of iodine.

These findings are in contrast to last year's report from the Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Small Papillary Thyroid Cancer Is More Common and Not Without Risk than Previously Believed

(Oct. 5, 2007) — Patients with micropapillary thyroid cancer—small tumors equal to or less than 1 centimeter—and tumors even smaller, less than 1 millimeter (mm)—are more common and not without a risk as previously thought, according to a new study presented on Fri., Oct. 5, at the 78th Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) in New York.

This is contrary to the widely perceived belief that small papillary thyroid cancers are clinically insignificant and don't require active treatment. Papillary is the most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for about 80% of all thyroid cancers.

The findings suggest that the size of the tumor itself may not be the sole determinant for the degree of the cancer's aggressiveness.

High TSH Levels May Cause Infants of Mothers With Under-active Thyroid To Have Visual Contrasting Problems

(Oct. 4, 2007) -- Children of women with hypothyroidism—an under-active thyroid—who had elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, had a significantly reduced ability to see visual contrasts, compared to women with hypothyroidism with normal TSH levels during the first two trimesters, and pregnant women with normal thyroid levels, according to a new study being presented on Thursday, Oct. 4, at the 78th Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) in New York. Adequate contrast sensitivity is an important ability for reading, viewing information of low contrast such as maps, and visuospatial ability in general.

The study shows that visual processing problems among infants of women with hypothyroidism were directly correlated with the mothers' high level of TSH.  These findings suggest that thyroid hormone is critical in early pregnancy for normal development of visual processing abilities.

A previous study showed that infants born to women who had hypothyroidism diagnosed prior to or during pregnancy had reduced ability to see visual contrasts and that the severity of their deficit was related to how hypothyroid their mothers were during the pregnancy. 

Even Mild Thyroid Problems Double Risk Of Heart Condition

(Oct. 4, 2007)—Individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism—a mildly underactive thyroid only detectable by a blood test—are twice as likely to develop heart failure, compared to those with normal thyroid levels, according to a new study being presented on Thursday, Oct. 4, at the 78th Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) in New York. Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is when the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's other organs, which can cause fatigue, ankle swelling and shortness of breath.

Although previous studies have shown that hyperthyroidism—an overactive thyroid—and hypothyroidism can cause heart problems, this is the first time that a large study found a negative effect on heart function when the thyroid was only mildly under-active.

The Real Secret About "The Secret Cure for Hypothyroidism" -- A Warning

If you've been intrigued by an ad promising "The Secret Cure for Hypothyroidism" -- think again.

The people putting together this guide (hah! -- it's just a handful of pages, actually) have a secret for you, but it has nothing to do with your thyroid, and everything to do with getting YOUR money in THEIR pockets. 

Before you even think about ordering this, save yourself time and trouble, and find out the REAL story.

Are You Gaining Weight Because of a Virus?

Scientists reported new evidence that infection with a common virus may be a contributing factor to the obesity epidemic sweeping through the United States and other countries. In laboratory experiments they showed that infection with human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36), long recognized as a cause of respiratory and eye infections in humans, transforms adult stem cells obtained from fat tissue into fat cells. Stem cells not exposed to the virus, in contrast, were unchanged.

Estrogen's Secret Role in Obesity

New research on the effects of the female sex hormone estrogen in the brain lend credence to what many women have suspected about the hormonal changes that accompany aging: Menopause can make you fat.

Scientists long have sought to understand how changes in hormones during menopause could account for the increase in appetite and accompanying weight gain that often occurs among aging women.

Are Your Friends Making You Fat?

Are your friends making you fat? Or keeping you slender? According to new research from Harvard and the University of California, San Diego, the short answer on both counts is "yes."

Appearing in the July 26, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, a study coauthored by Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School and James Fowler of UC San Diego suggests that obesity is "socially contagious," spreading from person to person in a social network.

The study -- the first to examine this phenomenon -- finds that if one person becomes obese, those closely connected to them have a greater chance of becoming obese themselves. Surprisingly, the greatest effect is seen not among people sharing the same genes or the same household but among friends.

Thyroid Guide to Hair Loss

Millions of Americans are suffering from hair loss due to undiagnosed thyroid disease. And thyroid patients with continuing hair loss problems need practical solutions to resolve their hair issues. This 100-page Guide, from the nation's leading thyroid patient advocate and best-selling author Mary Shomon, helps hair loss sufferers understand the problem, get proper thyroid diagnosis and treatment, and slow, stop or even reverse thyroid-related hair loss.

If you are losing hair and suspect it may be your thyroid, the guide will help you get properly diagnosed and treated. Thyroid patients suffering from continued hair loss will find that the guide offers many treatment approaches and options that can help you conquer this frustrating condition.

Learn more about the guide now, or download the PDF ebook from Lulu.com

Radio Program Highlights Thyroid Disease

Patient advocate and writer Mary Shomon was the guest of radio host Deborah Doc Watson, talking about thyroid disease, natural and conventional approaches to diagnosis and treatment, and more.

You can listen for free online now in this podcast of the radio show.