[ksshalimom]

I did not realize that the number of women that take thyroid medicine until I was one of them. When I became a mom of course I was tired, had no energy, wanted to sleep all the time, but did not realize until my son was 1 that I should be having more energy that what I was experiencing. So I went to the dr., had some lab done, and found out that my thyroid was not working at all. Needless to say I started taking thyroid med and it improved! I have had these symptoms for years and pushed it off as being stressed, too busy, etc. Back to my point about women and thyroid--I work in a busy medical office and I cannot believe the amount of women that take thyroid meds. I didn't realize how common this disease/condition was. Maybe we as women/mothers have too much on our plate to realize we need to take of ourselves. Does anyone else deal with thyroid diseases?

[tiadesai]

just wanted to share something interesting with you

Women with Thyroid Problem Have Lower Risk of Breast Cancer [img]/common/images/shim.gif[/img] ATLANTA 2005/02/16 -According to a new study, women suffering from a common thyroid problem called hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone, are less likely to develop breast cancer than women with normal thyroid function. The study, published in the March 15, 2005 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, finds circulating thyroid hormone may promote more aggressive forms of breast cancers, suggesting a significant role for thyroid hormone in breast cancer biology. Over a century ago physicians described using thyroid extract to treat breast cancer. Later, studies found that one of the circulating thyroid hormones actually sustained breast cancer cells, while animal studies found mammary gland cells responded to thyroid hormones. Population studies have shown conflicting patterns in the relationship between thyroid hormone and breast cancer. For example, Japanese scientists found patients with thyroiditis – an elevated thyroid hormone state – had a higher incidence of breast cancer, while other scientists found high levels of thyroid hormones were protective against breast cancer. Studies of benign thyroid disorders have also failed to demonstrate associations between thyroid hormones and breast cancer biology.

To investigate and clarify the relationship between thyroid levels and the risk of breast cancer, Massimo Cristofanilli, M.D. and colleagues at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston compared the medical records from 1136 women with breast cancer and 1088 healthy women attending their breast screening clinic.

The researchers found women with primary hypothyroidism had a 61 percent lower risk of developing invasive breast cancer. In addition, women with breast cancer were 57 percent less likely to have hypothyroidism compared to healthy women. Analysis of breast tumor pathology demonstrated that women with hypothyroidism were diagnosed with earlier stage disease and smaller tumor size.

The authors say, “The observed association between hypothyroidism and breast cancer may be due to the biologic effect of (the thyroid hormone) T3 at the cellular level,” adding that further studies of thyroid regulating hormones and intracellular iodide concentrations may “indicate areas of intervention for targeted preventive and therapeutic purposes.”


as for medications my mom used to take Cytomel
for her hypothyroidism

Cytomel is indicated for the treatment of hypothyroidism or in cases where the body is not producing an enough of amount of thyroid hormone. Cytomel can be used to treat low thyroid hormone count and low thyroid function. Cytomel can also be used to prevent goiter and to treat it. Goiter is a case where the thyroid gland is enlarged. It can be caused by a variety of factors such as lack of iodine, hormonal imbalances, radiation therapy and cancer.

[irishgal63]

I have hypothyroidism, I've been taking synthroid for almost 10yrs. !
over the last couple of years I have also been diagnosed with hypo-
glycemia (low blood sugar) my pancreas makes too much insulin !
it has been harder to adjust to this, than it was to the thyroid problem !
the hardest part is---I'm moodier than I used to be ! I use to laugh
very easily at most things---now I'm just grouchy !
I do believe that prayers work !
SINCERELY,
Lori Weis

[His Child 4 Life]

I had a total thyroidectomy in March after nearly a year of trying thyroid medications. The surgery was a breeze, but, I am only 41 and feel as if I am much older. I am just as tired and weak as I was before the surgery, and some days, it is even worse. There are days when I just don't feel like even getting out of bed unless it is absoutely necessary. My medication levels are in the normal range, and I exercise every day.. Can anyone tell me what I could do to help regain my strength? I would greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks for your help.

[Kevin]

I wouldn't be that surprised if all the preservatives and other foreign substances that we ingest on a daily basis contribute to both breast cancer and thyroid issues (along with many of the other health issues, like ADHD) that weren't that common until recently.

[mcmama]

I don't know about thyroid issues, but I do believe they contribute to cancers and neurological problems. However, I had a friend as a child who had a thyroid which went hypo and then hyper. The weight fluctuations were astounding. Her mom and sister did not have this problem - all ate the same stuff.

[mom_2_my_boys]

I have hypo-T.My doctor believes it happened after the birth of my first son. It seems like after almost 2 yrs on Synthroid it has helped.I still get symptoms but not as bad. So mine had no bearing on what food I ate.