Thyroid Research
April 12, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Thyroid
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.
