Thyroid Research

Selected research:
Hypothyroidim, quality of life and mental health
Larisch R, Kley K, Nikolaus S, et al. Depression and anxiety in different thyroid function states. Horm Metab Res. 2004 Sep;36(9):650-3

Study purpose: The researchers stated: “Previous studies on hypothyroid subjects have indicated serious psychiatric symptoms affecting the patients’ quality of life. The present prospective cross-sectional study’s aim was to examine these symptoms in thyroid patients with different functional states.”

They noted: “Hypothyroidism represents a widely underestimated functional condition that may severely affect mental health.”

Cognitive function
Prinz PN, Scanlan JM, Vitaliano PP, et al. Thyroid hormones: positive relationships with cognition in healthy, euthyroid older men. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1999 Mar;54(3):M111-6.

Study: The researchers acknowledged the well know link between hypothyroidism and cognitive function. What they sought to uncover was thyroid levels and cognitive function in elderly men with “normal” thyroid function.

The Researchers stated: “Our data suggest that older subjects may require circulating thyroid hormones in middle to high levels in order to maintain optimal brain function.”

Heart Disease
Klein I, Ojamaa K. Thyroid hormone treatment of congestive heart failure. Am J Cardiol. 1998;81:443-7.

Study: An editorial discussing the effects of hypothyroidism on heart disease with special emphasis on T3.

T3 and T4 Supplementation
Hennemann G, Docter R, Visser TJ, et al. Thyroxine plus low-dose, slow-release triiodothyronine replacement in hypothyroidism: proof of principle. Thyroid 2004;14:271-275

Study: Examination of the effects of T4 and T3 supplementation in hypothyroid patients.

The researchers noted: “In the study reported here we show that treatment of hypothyroid subjects with a combination of T(4) plus slow-release T(3) leads to a considerable improvement of serum T(4) and T(3) values, the T(4)/T(3) ratio and serum TSH as compared to treatment with T(4)- only. Serum T(3) administration with slow-release T(3) did not show serum peaks, in contrast to plain T(3).”

Subclinical thyroid disease
Elte JW, Mudde AH, Nieuwenhuijzen Kruseman AC. Subclinical thyroid disease. Postgrad Med J. 1996;72:141-6

Study: A review article on the “clinical effects, prognostic significance and the need for and response to therapy,” of subclinical thyroid disease.

Thyroid Main Page

Why take progesterone?

As cited above, progesterone down-regulates estrogen. Other reasons are listed below:

Progesterone deficiency may possibly lead to:
1. Irregular and heavy menstrual bleeding
2. Osteoporosis
3. Heart disease
4. Decrease in libido

Progesterone supplementation has been used for:
1. PMS syndrome
2. Infertility
3. Supporting healthy pregnancy

Other potential benefits
1. Benefits against certain cancers
2. Prevents osteoporosis
3. Improves well-being, antidepressant
4. Helps restore sex drive
5. Helps convert fat to energy.

Warnings
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists warns that there is no proof bio-identical hormones are any safer than the combination estrogen/progestin therapy.

Although there are no long-term studies on prolonged effects of progesterone, it appears that Progesterone therapy is a safe therapy, when indicated. Improper use of progesterone can lead to irregular menses and bleeding. This should be reported to your physician immediately.

SELECTED RESEARCH
Hot Flashes
Haimov-Kochman R, Hochner-Celnikier D.Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005 Oct;84(10):972-9.

Hot flashes revisited: pharmacological and herbal options for hot flashes management. What does the evidence tell us?

Background: Hot flashes are the most frequent symptoms of menopause and the most common reason for climacteric women seeking medical advice. Estrogen therapy is by far the most effective therapy. However, fears of side-effect of estrogen therapy urged many patients to seek alternative modalities for symptomatic relief.

Results and Conclusions: A critical review of the literature shows that progesterone may have an independent effect on relieving hot flashes.

SELECTED RESEARCH
Effects on Skin
Holzer G, Riegler E, Honigsmann H, Farokhnia S, Schmidt JB. Br J Dermatol. 2005 Sep;153(3):626-34

Effects and side-effects of 2% progesterone cream on the skin of peri-and postmenopausal women: results from a double-blind, vehicle-controlled, randomized study.

Background: For many years topical progesterone has been prescribed by gynecologists as an antiageing and skin-firming treatment, without any clinical scientific evidence of its effects, tolerability and safety when applied to skin.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of 2% progesterone cream on function and texture of the skin in peri- and postmenopausal women.

Results: The study demonstrated a significant…increase of the elastic skin properties in the treatment group, as demonstrated by objective measurements of three skin elasticity parameters, whereas in the control group no such effect was observed. This effect in the treatment group was further paralleled by the results of the clinical monitoring, where the 2% progesterone cream yielded consistent superiority over vehicle in counteracting different signs of ageing in the skin of peri- and postmenopausal women.

Clinical monitoring showed a greater reduction in wrinkle…around the right eye, a greater decrease in nasolabial wrinkle depth…and a significantly higher…increase in skin firmness…in the treatment group. Epidermal hydration and skin surface lipids did not change significantly in either group during the study. Progesterone was well absorbed in the systemic circulation…No serious side-effects of the treatment were observed.

Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that topical 2% progesterone acts primarily in increasing elasticity and firmness in the skin of peri-and postmenopausal women. These effects in combination with good tolerability make progesterone a possible treatment agent for slowing down the ageing process of female skin after onset of the menopause.

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Menopause and Heart Disease

Researchers writing in the medical journal Climacteric say that “an ideal hormone replacement therapy that can overcome hypertension, prevent body weight gain and control serum triglycerides offers an important advance in cardiovascular risk management during the menopause.”

Rosano GM, Vitale C, Tulli A. Managing cardiovascular risk in menopausal women.Rosano GM, Vitale C, Tulli A. Climacteric. 2006 Sep;9(5):19-27

From the article abstract:
“Blood pressure control and prevention of glucose intolerance are primary factors in overcoming the increased cardiovascular risks in menopausal women.

This heightened risk may partially be explained by the metabolic syndrome – a precursor of type 2 diabetes – in which the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may play a pivotal role.

Once diabetes occurs, the cardiovascular risk is considerably greater in postmenopausal women than in men – especially if hypertension is also present.

An additional risk factor, weight gain, is common in postmenopausal women not treated with hormone replacement therapy.

Rigorous control of blood pressure has been shown to be particularly beneficial in women with metabolic syndrome; a reduction in blood pressure can reduce the mortality rate of ischemic stroke.

The administration of hormone replacement therapy can also reduce the likelihood of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women; therefore therapy should be started early in the menopausal transition to maximize cardiovascular protection. As such, an ideal hormone replacement therapy that can overcome hypertension, prevent body weight gain and control serum triglycerides offers an important advance in cardiovascular risk management during the menopause.”

Testosterone replacement therapy and the risk of prostate cancer. Is there a link?

An article by Susan Brink of the Los Angeles Times recently appeared in newspapers around the country discussing the link between testosterone and prostate cancer.

The article says “The belief that testosterone increases the risk of prostate cancer is so widely accepted that study after study that tries to show it and can’t keeps getting repeated over and over,” says Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, a Boston urologist and author of the 2004 review. “People don’t believe it.”

Here is a press release from the Harvard Medical School.

“Boston–January 2004, Harvard Medical School affiliate Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center–A retrospective analysis by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center published in The New England Journal of Medicine found no causal relationship between testosterone replacement and prostate cancer or heart disease risk. The comprehensive review of 72 studies, addresses the current controversy about testosterone replacement therapy and its potential health risks to men.”