Posts Tagged ‘thyroid’

Thyroid dysfunction in peri- and post-menopause

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

This paper published in the medical journal Menopause International touches on the huge topic of thyroid dysfunction before, during and after menopause. As the author states, “Thyroid dysfunction is common, especially among women over the age of 50. In caring for peri- and post-menopausal women, it is important to recognize the changing clinical manifestations of thyroid disease with age.” Subclinical hypo and hyperthyroidism (thyroid dysfunction in the presence of normal TSH levels), an extremely important topic that you will see more about here, is noted in particular. The author notes, “…caution is required in diagnosing and treating thyroid dysfunction in women who are taking oral estrogens or selective estrogen receptor modulators.” The functional approach that fully examines and treats the two dozen underlying patterns of thyroid dysfunction with appropriate tests and therapies is far more extensive than indicated here. See Dr. Kharrazian’s book for an overview for the layperson. Recommended book on thyroid conditions

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Autoimmune thyroiditis and celiac disease

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Numerous studies have noted the association of autoimmune thyroid disease and celiac disease (not to mention the more widespread non-celiac gluten sensitivity). This recent paper in Nature Reviews Endocrinology asserts that “Clinicians should screen for autoimmune thyroiditis in all patients with celiac disease.”

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Thyroid and menopause: caution

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Thyroid function is critical during every stage of life  but is especially vulnerable at menopause. As this paper from the journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology states: “The symptoms of thyroid disease can be similar to postmenopausal complaints and are clinically difficult to differentiate…It is of importance that even mild thyroid failure can have a number of clinical effects such as depression, memory loss, cognitive impairment and a variety of neuromuscular complaints…There is also an increased cardiovascular risk.” Inadequate assessment and calibration of estrogen support is another menopausal hazard for the thyroid as this research concludes: “Low estrogen level may lead to mild thyroidal hypofunction while estradiol treatment may lead to hyperactivity so it should be used very cautiously in the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms to avoid its undesirable stimulatory effect on the thyroid.”

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