Thyroid

Grimmerick

Why does it seem like every woman now once they hit 30-40 has some thyroid problem? They say it's genetic and nothing can be done and that eventually I will just have to take a pill. I DON'T WANT TO. Dag on it I want to do something now to help keep my thyroid healthy. I am starting wonder if there is a link between birth control and thyroid problems also linked with the average american diet. Anybody have any theories or know anything about this?

coliema

I'm not sure of the theory on it, but I have heard several people say they have a thyroid problem, but the one's I've heard it from are over 50. I'm interested it seeing what everyone else thinks about this topic!

Also, how do you keep your thyroid healthy anyways?

LizKurz

Ok, well, usually thyroid problems are genetic, but they don't have to be. There is what looks like a link between water fluoridation and low thyroid issues, so maybe if you were to start drinking non tap water, that could help. Used to be, that MD's would slow down a hyper thyroid with flouride, but since we have stronger meds today, they don't use that anymore.


There could be other environmental factors, but the jury is still out on those.

Aside from eating healthy, keeping a healthy weight, and getting enough exercise, there's not much you can do.

katatak1

This study is specifically related to thyroid cancer, not thyroid disorder, so it's not *exactly* what you asked, but it appears that the answer is no, birth control is likely not related. Read more at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/wg31hw7p431484t4/

They examined birth control and many other factors and found that birth control was unrelated. What was related, and may be of interest to you, is consumption of seafood, primarily shellfish. As a transitioning pescatarian, you may want to consider this. It might be good to reduce your consumption of shellfish and see how that impacts your numbers. Of course, always consult with your doctor, as I am sure you are doing. I know of a pretty great endocrinologist in the area if you don't already have one. I can give you her office contact info. Just PM me.

katatak1

Sorry, full text for article here: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/3553286

On page 227 look at table 6. It lists the odds ratio at .9. An odds ratio of 1 means that it is equally likely you will have a specific outcome if you do or do not engage in the behavior in question. By comparison, fertility treatment is far more related with a staggering odds ratio of 4.2! Clearly hormones are related, but not in the direction you expected.

Table 7 explores the relationship between different types of seafood and thyroid cancer. This article is well worth a read

kimber0607

I wish I knew
I was on bcp from about 18 to 30
I have several needle biopsies and 3/4 of my thyroid removed..now I have cysts growing
For now I am lucky enough not to be on meds....

It does seem to be a common problem with my friends 30-40 after aving kids

sofitheteacup

From the people I know with hypothyroism, and in addition to the research above, I also doubt the link between birth control and thyroid problems. As far as keeping it healthy, I don't think there's anything specific to the thyroid that can be done, it's largely genetic and other than that, about overall health and wellness, from my understanding.

femmi1120

Why does it seem like every woman now once they hit 30-40 has some thyroid problem? They say it's genetic and nothing can be done and that eventually I will just have to take a pill. I DON'T WANT TO. Dag on it I want to do something now to help keep my thyroid healthy. I am starting wonder if there is a link between birth control and thyroid problems also linked with the average american diet. Anybody have any theories or know anything about this?

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at age 17 I hadn't been taking BC at that point, so I don't think it applies in my case, but it is an interesting theory.

bigdogc23

I'm no female but I do deal with hypothyroidism. I know you don't want to take any meds and I fully understand. However, I can tell you from experience that there are no real side effects from the meds. I have not had one, except for good. I lost my hair at 21 and I don't think it's coming back so the meds won't help there. They did however give me a little more energy, my body was not as sore, the skin stopped being dry and flaky, and the sex drive came back. It's a little pill, they up it a little at a time until you thyroid is right, and you take it before you go to bed on a empty stomach. All it is, is synthetic T-4 hormone that replaces the ones you are not producing. I have not found a way to get the thyroid back in action.

Grimmerick

Sorry, full text for article here: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/3553286

On page 227 look at table 6. It lists the odds ratio at .9. An odds ratio of 1 means that it is equally likely you will have a specific outcome if you do or do not engage in the behavior in question. By comparison, fertility treatment is far more related with a staggering odds ratio of 4.2! Clearly hormones are related, but not in the direction you expected.

Table 7 explores the relationship between different types of seafood and thyroid cancer. This article is well worth a read

Awesome thank you for this! God I hope it's more shellfish because I only eat shellfish once in a while.

LilRedRooster

Many women end up with thyroid issues after they have major hormone changes, like puberty or childbearing. There isn't really any specific link or way to prevent it, but women seem to be more susceptible, thanks to their propensity for larger hormone shifts.

PHS7

I don't know much about the link between thyroid problems and birth control since. . . . .well, I'm a guy. But I do know about the hereditary issues. My mom was on synthroid for as long as I can remember and I was diagnosed with Graves disease a few years ago. I went through the radioactive isotope treatment to kill off thyroid function and will be on meds for the rest of my life. The problem associated with thyroid issues is that it can be harder to lose weight, especially with hypothryroidism. Has anyone else read about that, too?

MaraDiaz

If you google pollutants thyroid you'll find a whole lot of things we're all exposed to that can affect your thyroid. Could be any one of them, or a combination. The longer we are exposed, the worse the damage.

katatak1

Sorry, full text for article here: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/3553286

On page 227 look at table 6. It lists the odds ratio at .9. An odds ratio of 1 means that it is equally likely you will have a specific outcome if you do or do not engage in the behavior in question. By comparison, fertility treatment is far more related with a staggering odds ratio of 4.2! Clearly hormones are related, but not in the direction you expected.

Table 7 explores the relationship between different types of seafood and thyroid cancer. This article is well worth a read

Awesome thank you for this! God I hope it's more shellfish because I only eat shellfish once in a while.

Not sure if you mean more shellfish with hurt/help, but it's more shellfish is related to an increased risk. All seafood was related to an increased risk, though they were honestly just comparing means. Didn't read fully, but it looks like they didn't do a logistic regression (I would have if in their shoes), so it may be nonsignificant. Either way, seafood does seem to be related, and it is certainly more related than birth control which shows a zero-level influence (if anything, it seems bc has a very slight protective effect [.9 OR means those on bc are slightly less likely to get thyroid cancer])

shakybabe

I was born with mine not working and been on thyroxine since I was a baby. I didn't have weight issues when I was young and active, I only seemed to have them when levels were low.

If you get levels right with medication and stay active it is possible to get weight off and keep it off. I did better when I dropped wheat from diet too.

I've always taken my tablets with my breakfast and my doctor has never told me all this stuff I read on here about not taking them with calcium or this or that and I've still managed to lose the weight again despite also having mobility difficulties too.