Perfluoroocatanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluoroctance sulfate (PFOS) are two chemicals that are found in many carpet cleaners, non-stick cookware, and some fabrics. They are a common compounds used in heat-resistant gear, popcorn bags, and waterproof clothing. It just so happens that these chemicals could be linked to an increase in thyroid disease. New research looked for links between these two chemicals and several conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, liver disease and asthma but only thyroid disease was found to be linked to these chemicals. These chemicals have also been linked to cancer in animal studies. You may get contaminated from these chemicals through diet or inhalation of household dust. The Environmental Protection agency is trying to reduce the release and handling of these two chemicals by at least 95% this year and is trying to get them totally eliminated by 2015. Although cutting the use of the chemicals will drastically help in preventing contamination, these chemicals can remain in your body for several years. Research will continue to be done on these chemicals to determine their effects on the human body...specifically thyroid disease.

Melzer D, Rice N, Depledge MH, Henley WE, Galloway TS 2010. Association Between Serum Perfluoroctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Thyroid Disease in the NHANES Study. Environ Health Perspect :-. doi:10.1289/ehp.0901584

Heart beat irregularities are found in almost three million people in the United States and up to four percent of the population of the world has a thyroid dysfunction. Now researchers believe they have found a genetic association between these two! KCNE2 and KCNQ1 are two genes in the human body that are known to be linked to heart beat irregularities (cardiac arrhythmias). Research is now suggesting that these two genes could also be linked to thyroid dysfunction. It is believed that by evaluating thyroid patients with the two genes and heart beat irregularities, scientists will be able to find an “endocrine component” to their heart related issues that otherwise would not have been found. Therefore, treatment of the thyroid disorder could also help the patient’s heart related issues. This new discovery may explain some of the common symptoms of thyroid disorders and cardiac arrhythmias such as fatigue and a lowered heart rate.

New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College. "New Genetic Link Between Cardiac Arrhythmias And Thyroid Dysfunction Identified." ScienceDaily 21 September 2009.

There is currently a well established link between thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and labor difficulties. Recent studies show that low levels of T4 in the mother can result in higher risks of abnormal fetal head presentation during childbirth. Women who presented abnormal fetal head positions had significantly lower levels of thyroid hormone than women who had normal head position. Studies also showed that the lower the levels of T4 in the 36th week of gestation, the higher the risk for abnormal fetal head presentation. As you can see it is very important to pay attention to your thyroid levels if you are pregnant. Low thyroid can clearly affect the outcome of your pregnancy.

Wijnen HA. Clinical Endocrinology. 2009 71:746-751.

Recent reports have been issued that suggest that there has been an upward trend in thyroid cancer the past thirty years. The diagnosis of thyroid cancer is in fact increasing at the fastest pace compared to other cancers. One reason for the increase is the fact that there is more screening being done and definitely more tests being run to detect thyroid cancer, but this is definitely not the sole contributor to the increase. Certainly, technology is much more efficient and able to detect and diagnose thyroid cancer than before.  But many other factors may play a role in the thyroid cancer increase such as the patient’s genetics, diet, obesity, radiation exposure, and environmental pollutants.

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention May 2009;18(5); 1492-500
Amy. Y. Chen, Ahmedin Jemal, Elizabeth M. Ward. Increasing Incidence of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in the US (1988-2005). Cancer, Published OnlineL Jule 13, 2009; Print Issue Date: Aug 15, 2009 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.24416

The National Institute of Health and other institutions have discovered a link between preeclampsia and thyroid issues. Research has shown that women who are diagnosed with preeclampsia are at risk for having a lower thyroid function during their last few weeks of pregnancy. The lab study results showed that thyroid levels of women with preeclampsia and women without preeclampsia were identical in the beginning of the pregnancy but near the end of gestation, women who had preeclampsia had significantly higher levels of the thyroid stimulating hormone TSH (the test that tells whether you are low in thyroid), than women without any history of preeclampsia. Also women who had preeclampsia during their pregnancy are more likely to be found hypothyroid some 20 years later after giving birth. Preeclampsia is a very serious condition that occurs during the last few months of pregnancy in about 3-5% of pregnancies. Preeclampsia causes high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Often women that have preeclampsia do not feel sick. Preeclampsia can be a mild case but can progress to severe preeclampsia or even full blown eclampsia which results in high blood pressure and convulsions and can cause severe harm to the patient and may even result in death. Causes for preeclampsia are not known and the only cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby.

BMJ 2009;339:b4336

The American Thyroid Association has updated and revised the guidelines for managing patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. For individuals with thyroid nodules the guidelines have now been updated and include ultrasound criteria, managing benign thyroid nodules, and initial evaluation. For thyroid cancer, several new guidelines are provided pertaining to surgery management, suppression therapy, radioiodine remnant ablation, laboratory testing as well as ultrasound surveillance.

David S. Cooper, Gerard M. Doherty, Bryan R. Haugen, Richard T. Kloos, Stephanie L. Lee, Susan J. Mandel, Ernest L. Mazzaferri, Bryan McIver, Furio Pacini, Martin Schlumberger, Steven I. Sherman, David L. Steward, R. Michael Tuttle. Thyroid. November 2009, 19(11): 1167-1214. doi:10.1089/thy.2009.0110.

If you suffer from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis you may have hypothyroidism and as a consequence you may have weight gain issues. You are also more likely to have polycystic ovarian syndrome than if you had a normal thyroid (perhaps three times more likely!) A small study done in Spain has concluded that polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been shown to be more common in overweight individuals that their leaner peers. Women that are referred to the doctor for weight loss management are about five times more likely to be diagnosed with PCOS than leaner women. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a very common hormone disorder affecting many women and can cause irregular periods, excess facial and body hair, severe acne, infertility, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. So if you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and you are overweight you may also have PCOS!

Alvarez-Blasco F, et al “Prevalence and Characteristics of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Women” Arch Intern Med. 2006 ; 166: 2081-2086.

If you suffer from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis you may have hypothyroidism and as a consequence you may have weight gain issues. You are also more likely to have polycystic ovarian syndrome than if you had a normal thyroid (perhaps three times more likely!) A small study done in Spain has concluded that polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been shown to be more common in overweight individuals that their leaner peers. Women that are referred to the doctor for weight loss management are about five times more likely to be diagnosed with PCOS than leaner women. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a very common hormone disorder affecting many women and can cause irregular periods, excess facial and body hair, severe acne, infertility, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. So if you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and you are overweight you may also have PCOS!

Alvarez-Blasco F, et al “Prevalence and Characteristics of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Women” Arch Intern Med. 2006 ; 166: 2081-2086.

Many pregnant women are often found to be iron deficient or anemic. Iron deficiency has been shown to affect the thyroid which in turn can cause neuro-psychological delays in the fetus. Expecting mothers are highly likely to be anemic because they require more iron as their pregnancy progresses and more often than not, this increased need for iron is not met by their dietary sources. Findings suggest that low iron levels in expecting mothers result in higher TSH levels and lower thyroid hormone levels. It is very important to have iron levels checked to monitor the possibility of anemia and reduce the dangerous effects and risks of low maternal thyroid function and fetal development. Early detection and prevention of hypothyroidism can prevent harmful effects on the psychomotor development and auditory systems of your baby. If you are concerned or at risk for low iron levels, speak with your physician today to discuss you and your baby’s health.

Michael B. Zimmermann, Hans Burgi, and Richard F. Hurrell Iron Deficiency Predicts Poor Maternal Thyroid Status during Pregnancy J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., Sep 2007; 92: 3436 - 3440.

A new year, a new start, a new study!  Experts are beginning an extensive randomized controlled study last month on Vitamin D and Omega-3 and their effects of reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.  20,000 participants are now currently being evaluated and assessed. It is also believed that vitamin D deficiency will result in increased levels of the parathyroid hormone, hardening of the arteries, rapid growth of vascular smooth cells, and many other health issues.  Vitamin D deficiency can promote immune attacks on your organs including your thyroid.  As a thyroid patient suffering from thyroid autoimmunity you may become at risk for cardiovascular disease and your vitamin D levels may be low as well. If you have a thyroid disorder this is another reason why your vitamin D levels should be checked and why you should be taking adequate amounts of vitamin D on a regular basis.  Check back for updates on this study! 

Doug Brunk. "Prospective Study of Vitamin D to Launch." Internal Medicine News December 2009: 53. Print.
“25-hydroxyvitamin D and risk of myocardial infarction in men: a prospective study.”
 Arch Intern Med. 2008 Jun 9;168(11):1174-80.