Posted on 05/28/2005 6:08:46 PM PDT by Nov3
Researchers discover thyroid, heart failure connection
Researchers at The University of South Dakota School of Medicine believe they are on the verge of changing the way physicians view the treatment of heart disease.
Along with several colleagues, A. Martin Gerdes, director of the School of Medicine's Cardiovascular Research Institute in Sioux Falls, has recently published groundbreaking research in a nationally recognized medical journal for establishing a connection between low functioning thyroid glands and the development of heart disease. Although treatment on human patients may be some time away, the team is excited at the prospect of standing on the cutting edge in a new trend in the field of heart medicine research.
The study, titled "Thyroid Hormones Induce Unique and Potentially Beneficial Changes in Cardiac Myocyte Shape in Hypertensive Rats Near Heart Failure," appears in the May issue of the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, published by the American Physiological Society. During the course of his study, Gerdes and his colleagues established that not only can a poorly functioning thyroid contribute to congestive heart failure; it also indicates a reduced likelihood of recovery, and an increased chance of death.
This study builds upon earlier work at the institute which showed researchers that whatever leads to heart failure is always preceded by changes in the shape heart cells. As pressure within the heart increases, stress causes the heart cells to stretch and flatten, and thereby weaken. The new study demonstrates that a moderate dose of thyroid hormones (TH) over 30 days "normalizes" the shape of the cardiac cells (myocytes) and reduces stress on the heart's wall nearly 40 percent.
The research team was pleased not only because the hormone therapy appeared to have a positive effect upon the distorted heart cells, but also because this research involves a new treatment approach.
"This is the first study to look at the implications of thyroid hormone therapy on hypertensive heart failure," Gerdes said.
Based on these encouraging findings, the authors of the paper feel that this new avenue of treatment warrants further study. However, Gerdes warned since "this is the first study to disclose these positive effects with TH, we don't yet have enough information to do this intelligently in humans. Care should be taken in administering TH to humans for heart disease since there is so little information available from animal studies," Gerdes said.
However, Gerdes was optimistic that the successes he and his research team have enjoyed will someday be applied to the treatment of heart disease in humans.
"We're really just looking at the tip of the iceberg here, but we believe this could be the beginning of the next big thing in the treatment of heart disease," Gerdes said.
for your ping list.
I'm printing out this article and taking it to my doctor for his comments. Thanks for posting it.
Interesting---I might make a good study subject.
My father dies a long time ago from heart disease---my mother died a few months ago from congestive heart failure.
Therefore, I have a hereditary tendency, perhaps towards this problem---however, I have been on thyroid medicine for about 15 years...I have had check-ups and been told that my heart is in very, very good shape...
Don't know of a connection, but the article is very interesting...and wouldn't it be nice if something as simple as a thyroid drug could help with such a common disease?
Fascinating!! I wish that they would've said what KIND of TH they used. I mean, did they use a T4 only, a T4/T3 combo, or just T3?
Depending on what time zone you're in, I may or may not get to my doctor with this before you do.
No matter what.... this is very interesting' isn't it?
PS. I like your tag line
Absolutely. Before the emergence of the TSH test many docs treated by symptoms. Funny Chronic Fatigue was relatively unknown then! Since the TSH tests became the "Standard of Care" a lot of people are suffering needlessly.
Amen brother.
GRRRRRRR, I suffered with a nutcase thyroid for 20 years. Had all the symptoms: no eyebrows, hair falling out, pulse during the day was normally 50, but has been as low as 33 bpm, tired all the time, etc. Docs would only test my blasted TSH. I went to www.healthcheckusa.com and ordered a FREE T3, FREE T4, and a THYROID ANTIBODIES test through the mail. Sure enough, my antibodies came back showing Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Doc put my on Cytomel. Sometimes, ya gotta do the testing yourself.
I am sure it is a synthetic pure T4 drug. Though the natural thyroid meds like Armour and Westhroid have been on the market for nearly 100 years with a long record of safety and efficacy the drug industry convinced doctors that pure T4 was better. Never ming that your thyroid produces T4, T3, T2, calcitonin etc if your thyroid is removed you just need T4!
Most interesting. Having a thyroid problem isn't the worst medical problem that can befall a person, but it manifests itself in many unpleasant ways over the years. Like irregular heartbeats, tiredness, swollen ankles. The swollen ankles is scary, because that's similar to congestive heart failure.
I'm definitely open to reading more about the research described in this article.
By the way, thanks for your kudos on my tag line. May I suggest here that we all pray to the Lord to guide the researchers into making breakthroughs that will help alleviate and even cure thyroid problems and heart disease.
Hell, my mom nearly died of heart failure 14 years ago. They filled her with digitalis until that just about killed her. I saw something on the thyroid/heart failure connection and suggested this to the doctors because of a history of hyperthyroidism. Sure enough it had come back. They whacked it again with radiation and today she is a robust 81.
I Read that Broda Barnes book a while back. The man was a genius.
I was being quite sarcastic. Broda Barnes quite thoroughly researched and treated people many many years ago. You are lucky to have a good doctor.
Thanks for that tip to http://www.healthcheckusa.com - there's an affiliate right here in town. Will have to check this out.
save and BUMP
Will read this carefully later as it may effect a family member...I will also look to FReepers for whatever their enlightened comments can add.
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