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.
ping
I have been fortunate in that, of all the different medications that I take regularly, my thyroid medicine is the one that gives me NO problems...
I have never heard of Cytomel---just Synthroid and the Levoxyl that I am taking...is Cytomel the same, just a different brand?
I am on Thyroid Is this a good one to be on?
I passed this along to the GP hubby. He said he'd known for years that low thyroid meant higher risk for heart disease.
Huh? I don't understand your question---
The type of thyroid medicine I am on is called Thyroid. It is a natural thyroid medicine.
Thyroid ping
Oh, okay--now I understand.
I have never heard of that--I haven't researched natural medications...I guess I have been okay with my medicine and never looked for an alternative...
Is it OTC?
bump
Actually it was prescribed by a M.D. and is purchased thru (what is referred to as a ) compounding pharmacy. I believe that is how it is spelled.
Interesting---does your insurance company pay for it?
No but it isn't terribly expensive.
May be a dumb question, but how can you get a blood test via internet?
Thanks for the information---have you had your thyroid tested since taking this med? if so, I assume it is keeping your thyroid in range...
I think I will ask my doc next time I see him re: Thyroid.
Thank you so much. I will definitely pass this on to my daughter...
Heart Failure Definition and Diagnosis
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
link didn't work for me, neverdem.
You need to see an endocrinologist. They DO the tests you mentioned.
Unfortunately doctors always start out with the simplest tests and then you have to prod them to do the more sophisticated onces, but if you find a reasonable endocrinologist, he will do more extensive tests.
I am glad that you took matters into your own hands, sometiems we need to do that.
http://www.plaintalk.net/stories/052705/spo_0526050167.html
Sometimes the referral part from FR to the site doesn't work.
My link in comment# 56 just worked for me.
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