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Overview of Thyroid Diseases
It is common for people to develop thyroid diseases, such as hyperthyroidism (hyper means "too much") and hypothyroidism (hypo means "too little.) The two main types of autoimmune thyroid disease fall into hyperthyroidism (Grave's disease), and hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's thyroiditis).
Often thyroid disease occurs by itself. Occasionally it is also associated with other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, systemic scleroderma, and vitiligo, just to name a few. (Also see: Autoimmune Diseases)
What is Hypothyroidism? Early and late symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. Armour Thyroid.
The Body's Traffic Cop. Perhaps you're much more tired than usual. You're chilly even in warm weather. Your skin is dry and globs of moisturizer aren't helping. The culprit might be your thyroid. Barbara Kantrowitz and Pat Wingert. Newsweek. 07/23/08.
Thyroid Disease 101: Ten Facts Doctors Forget To Tell Patients. With as many as 59 million Americans suffer from thyroid conditions, it's crucial for patients and doctors to learn more about these common hormonal health problems. PRWeb. 01/16/08.
Frequency of rheumatic diseases in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD). The frequency of rheumatic diseases seems to be higher in patients suffering from ATD. Initial evaluation and a regular checking for rheumatic diseases in patients suffering from ATD were recommended. IngentaConnect. Rheumatology International, Vol 27, No 6, April 2007, pp. 575-577(3).
Hypothyroidism Contributes to Increased Triglyceride Levels Among Patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). In a cohort of 49 patients with diffuse SSc clinical and laboratory features of hypothyroidism were observed in 27% of the patients and increased triglyceride levels in more than 55%. Hypothyroidism is a common finding in patients with SSc. It is estimated that about half of SSc patients experience overt or latent hypothyroidism. J. Rheumatol 2006 April;33:827. Correspondence. Full Text. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement and Lipoprotein[a] and Thrombotic Complications)
Thyroid Disease and Scleroderma
It is common for people with systemic scleroderma to also have other health problems, and thyroid disease can often be associated with it.
However, thyroid disease is very common in the general population, whereas systemic scleroderma is very rare, and thyroid disease is not considered to be a symptom of any type of scleroderma.
High Frequency of Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. Hypothyroidism appears to be the commonest pattern of abnormality but was considered clinically significant and treated less often than hyperthyroidism. It is possible that constitutional features of SSc may obscure clinical evidence of hypothyroidism. P. Siakka. SAT0237 EULAR 2006.
Association of systemic and thyroid autoimmune diseases. Systemic and thyroid autoimmune diseases often overlap with each other. HT (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and GD (Graves' disease) may be most common among MCTD, SSc and SS patients. Therefore it is clinically important to screen patients with systemic autoimmune diseases for the co-existence of thyroid disorders. PubMed. Clin Rheumatol. 2005 Oct 25. (Also see: MCTD, What is Scleroderma? and Sjogren's Syndrome)
Thyroid Disease in Correlation with Other Diseases
May Autoimmune Thyroiditis (AIT) Represent a Candidate Risk Factor for Evolution of Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD)? Results from a Preliminary Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study. This preliminary retrospective cross-sectional study indicate that UCTD with AIT showed a more frequent (although not statistically significant) evolution towards a defined CTD than UCTD without AIT, regardless of other clinical and serological differences. M. Fotinidi. (OP-0051) EULAR 2009. (Also see: UCTD)
Autoimmune thyroid disorders in patients with psoriasis. This is the first study that investigated autoimmune thyroid disorders in patients with psoriasis who did not have arthritis. We believed that thyroid autoimmunity in patients with psoriasis was no different from that found in healthy individuals. U Gul. Eur J Dermatol. 2009 May-Jun (Also see: Psoriasis)
Autoimmune Thyroiditis and Rheumatoid Arthritis RA) : Is There Really an Association? There was no correlation between thyroid disease and rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, disease modifying drugs use, corticosteroid use, or RA disease activity. In conclusion, no association could be demonstrated between thyroid disease and RA. F.T. Goncalvez, MD. The Endocrinologist. January/February 2009. (Also see: Rheumatoid Arthritis)
Thyroid autoimmune Diseases in Patients with Systemic Lupus erythematosus. The result of this study confirm the hypothesis that the hypothyroidism and the positivity of antithyroid antibodies were more prevalent in patients with SLE than in general population, and they were independent of the activity and duration of the disease and immunosuppressive agents use. D.P.P.O. Viggiano. (SAT0185) EULAR 2008.
Risk of co-existing autoimmune diseases in 3309 index cases with auto-immune thyroid disease (AITD) and their relatives. AITD patients and their parents are at increased risk of co-existing autoimmune diseases; brothers of AITD subjects are particularly likely to have thyroid dysfunction. Kristien Boelaert. Endocrine Abstracts (2008) 15 P385. (Also see: Autoimmunity)
The Celiac/Autoimmune Thyroid Connection. According to research reported on in the medical journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences, a significant number of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease also have celiac disease. About.com. 10/17/08.
Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) and Thyroid Disease. Patients with PH have a higher prevalence of thyroid disease than other pulmonary patients. Evaluation of thyroid function in PH patients may be warranted to detect and assess coexisting thyroid disease. Chest, doi:10.1378/chest.07-0366. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension)
Graves' Disease or Hyperthyroidism
Grave's Disease. Graves' disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism, occurring when your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland and causes it to overproduce the hormone thyroxine. Mayo Clinic.
Overview of Graves' Disease
Symptoms of Graves' Disease
Causes of Graves' Disease
Diagnosis of Graves' Disease
Treatment and Management
Graves' and other Conditions
Thyroid Support
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis or Hypothyroidism
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Hashimotos thyroiditis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland. Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.
Overview of Hashimoto's
Symptoms of Hashitmoto's
Causes of Hashimoto's
Diagnosis of Hashimoto's
Treatments of Hashimoto's
Cancer and Hashimoto's
Central Nervous System and Dementia with Hashimoto's
Goiters
Sleep Apnea and Hashimoto's
Thyroid Support
Thyroid Research Articles
Autoimmune
Dietary Considerations
Gastrointestinal
Genetics
Interferon-induced
(Lungs) Pulmonary
Musculoskeletal Involvement
Pregnancy and Postpartum Thyroiditis
Radiotherapy-induced
Stress and Thyroid Autoimmunity
Autoimmune
Autoimmune Thyroiditis (AIT) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Is There Really an Association? Previous studies suggest an association between AIT, an organ-specific autoimmune disease, and RA, a systemic autoimmune disorder. Our study suggests that, at least in some populations, this association does not occur, or it is not strong enough-from the epidemiologic point of view-to justify the routine thyroid antibodies and thyrotropin tests in all RA patients. F.T. Goncalves. Endocrinologist. January/February 2009. (Also see: Rheumatoid Arthritis)
Prevalence and Functional Significance of Antipituitary Antibodies (APA) in Patients with Autoimmune and Non-Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases. APA are frequently present in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. Patients should be tested for APA because positive tests are associated with growth-hormone deficiency. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 92, No. 6 2176-2181.
Comorbidities common in bipolar disorder, may have genetic link. Researchers observed an increased prevalence of bipolar disorder among twins and parents and children with autoimmune thyroiditis. These findings indicate a genetic risk factor for the disease. EurekAlert! 06/08/07.
T-Cell Costimulation — Biology, Therapeutic Potential, and Challenges. CTLA-4 is involved in the induction and maintenance of T-cell tolerance. CTLA-4 polymorphisms in humans have been linked to susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease. The New England Journal of Medicine. Vol 355:973-975,10. 09/07/06. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: T-Cells and Diabetes)
Smoking and autoimmune thyroid disease: the plot thickens. New studies have shown that smoking may protect against the development of thyroid peroxidase antibodies, which may result in a decreased risk of Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, whereas it stimulates the development of Graves’ hyperthyroidism. European Journal of Endocrinology, Vol 154, Issue 6, 777-780.
Co-occurrence of autoimmune thyroid disease in a multiple sclerosis cohort. Multiple sclerosis (MS), Hashimoto's disease (HT) and Graves' disease are autoimmune diseases that may share similar pathogenic mechanisms. The co-occurrence rates and demographic characteristics of Graves' disease and HT in our MS population are compared with the general population. There is a significant co-occurrence in patients with MS and Graves' disease, and a trend to co-occurrence in patients with MS and HT. Journal of Autoimmune diseases 11/09/05. (Also see: MS)
Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. EF is frequently associated with hematological abnormalities, including malignant lymphoproliferative diseases, but rarely associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. In the present study we report a case of eosinophilic fasciitis associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. PubMed. Korean J Intern Med. 2005 Jun;20(2):180-2. (Also see: Diseases Similar to Scleroderma: Eosinophilic Fasciitis)
Thyroid dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. Several studies suggest a high prevalence of transient pulmonary hypertension in hypothyroidism (49% in the largest series of cases), in these cases autoimmunity plays a key role. PubMed. Recenti Prog Med. 2004 Sep;95(9):443-6. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension)
Association of a rare thyroglobulin gene microsatellite variant with autoimmune thyroid disease. PubMed. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Oct;88(10):5039-42.
Autoimmunity and vitiligo. PubMed. Pigment Cell Res. 2003 Oct;16(5):589. (Also see: Diseases Similar to Scleroderma: Vitiligo)
The Epidemiology and Genetics of Generalized Vitiligo. PubMed. Pigment Cell Res. 2003 Oct;16(5):589-90. (Also see: Diseases Similar to Scleroderma: Vitiligo)
Dental amalgam as one of the risk factors in autoimmune diseases. Results imply that, in some patients with thyroiditis, mercury from dental amalgam can stimulate the production of antinuclear antibodies. Dental amalgam may be a risk factor in some patients with autoimmune disease. PubMed. Neuroendocrinol Lett 2003 Feb-Apr;24(1/2):65-67. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma, Dental Involvement, and Antibodies)
Dietary Considerations
Vitamin D, Parathyroid Hormone And Acro-Osteolysis (AO) In Systemic Sclerosis. In this group of Mediterranean SSc patients, the incidence of vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism was surprisingly high. This finding correlated with the occurrence of AO and calcinosis. Low levels of vit D may reflect silent malabsorption and might be a risk factor for secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone resorption. Y. Braun-Moscovici. AB0497 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Vitamin D Difficiency and Skeletal Involvement)
Iodine and thyroid autoimmunity. Epidemiological data from countries with sufficient or high nutritional iodine intake clearly show that in comparison to countries with iodine deficiency there is an increase in the incidence of autoimmune thyroid disease. PubMed. Z Arztl Fortbild Qualitatssich. 2004 May;98 Suppl 5:73-6.
Gastrointestinal
Thyroid-intestinal motility interactions summary. Thyroid diseases may be related to gastrointestinal motility symptoms. Such symptoms can vary in degree and, sometimes, are the only clue of a thyroid disease or, at least, the first. PubMed. Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol. 2004 Dec;50(4):305-15. (Also see: Gastrointestinal Involvement)
Genetics
Comorbidities common in bipolar disorder, may have genetic link. Medical comorbidities common in people with bipolar, including heart disease, cancer, endocrine disorders and autoimmune disorders, lead to complications, overall poor health and a decreased life expectancy. Researchers observed an increased prevalence of bipolar disorder among twins and parents and children with autoimmune thyroiditis. These findings indicate a genetic risk factor for the disease. EurekAlert! 06/08/07.
X Chromosome Monosomy: A Common Mechanism for Autoimmune Diseases. Chromosome instability is common to women with SSc and AITD (autoimmune thyroid disease) and haploinsufficiency for X-linked genes may be a critical factor for the female predominance of autoimmune diseases. PubMed. J Immunol. 2005 Jul 1;175(1):575-578. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Genetics)
Interferon-induced Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction associated with type I interferon therapy. Type I interferons are currently used for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis, multiple sclerosis and several hematological and solid tumors. Side effects are not uncommon, and include multiple alterations in thyroid function, some of which are unrelated to autoimmunity. PubMed. Clin Exp Med. 2004 Apr;3(4):199-210.
Lungs (Pulmonary)
Airway function and markers of airway inflammation in patients with treated hypothyroidism. Patients with treated hypothyroidism report more respiratory symptoms and have objective evidence of airway dysfunction and inflammation. PubMed. Thorax. 2005 Mar;60(3):249-53.
Musculoskeletal Involvement
Interrelations Between Fibromyalgia, Thyroid Autoantibodies, and Depression. Our results suggest an association between FM and thyroid autoimmunity. J Rheumatol. OCTOBER 2004;31:2036-40 (Also see: Fibromyalgia)
Fibromyalgia and Thyroid Dysfunction. The most frequent thyroid functional disorder found in fibromyalgia women was SCHT (subclinical hypothyroidism), more than in healthy population. Presence of TPO antibodies was the most frequent related to this disfunction. R. M. Morlà. AB0169 EULAR 2004. (Also see: Fibromyalgia)
Musculoskeletal manifestations in patients with thyroid disease. These results demonstrate that musculoskeletal disorders often accompany thyroid dysfunction. In addition to the well-known observation that these disorders are common in patients with hypothyroidism, they are also observed in patients with thyrotoxicosis. Patients with thyroid dysfunction should be questioned for musculoskeletal complaints and referred to a specialist if necessary. PubMed. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2003 Aug;59(2):162-7.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Thyroiditis (PPT)
Miscarriages May Be A Symptom Of Greater Health Risk. Autoimmune Diseases, such as lupus or thyroid conditions, are associated with RPL (Recurrent Pregnancy Loss) and infertility. If you have a history of autoimmune disease and unexplained RPL, ask about these potentially appropriate tests: ACA/APA, LAC (Lupus Anti-coagulant). ElitesTV. 07/19/05. (Also see: Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Lupus)
Screening for thyroid disease in pregnancy. Postpartum thyroid dysfunction (PPTD) occurs in 5-9% of women and is associated with antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (antiTPOAb) in 10% of women in early pregnancy. Therefore, screening for thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy should be considered. PubMed. J Clin Pathol. 2005 May;58(5):449-52. (Also see: Pregnancy and Scleroderma)
Postpartum thyroiditis (PPT) is an autoimmune disorder which is a transient form of Hashimoto's thyroiditis occurring postpartum as a consequence of the immunologic flare following the immune suppression of pregnancy. PubMed. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Jun;18(2):303-16.
Radiotherapy-induced Thyroid Disorders
Radiotherapy-induced thyroid disorders. Despite their specific functional consequences, radiotherapy-induced thyroid abnormalities remain under-estimated and underreported. PubMed. Cancer Treat Rev. 2004 Jun;30(4):369-84.
Stress and Thyroid Autoimmunity
Stress and thyroid autoimmunity. Stress affects the immune system either directly or indirectly through the nervous and endocrine systems. These immune modulations may contribute to the development of autoimmunity as well as the susceptibility to autoimmune disease in genetically predisposed individuals. Stress can be one of the environmental factors for thyroid autoimmunity. PubMed. Thyroid. 2004 Dec;14(12):1047-55. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Stress)
Thyroid Education and Support
Five Reasons You Can't Get Your Thyroid Problem Diagnosed. Many thyroid patients write to ask why it can be so incredibly hard to get diagnosed. A few things to think about. About.com. 08/23/07.
How Armour® Thyroid Differs From Synthetic Thyroid Hormone Replacements. Armour Thyroid.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. ISN.
 
Go to Graves' Disease
 
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