http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071005143412.htm
ScienceDaily (Oct. 9, 2007) — Individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism—a mildly underactive thyroid only detectable by a blood test—are twice as likely to develop heart failure, compared to those with normal thyroid levels, according to a new study. Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is when the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's other organs, which can cause fatigue, ankle swelling and shortness of breath.
Although previous studies have shown that hyperthyroidism—an overactive thyroid—and hypothyroidism can cause heart problems, this is the first time that a large study found a negative effect on heart function when the thyroid was only mildly under-active. “If other studies confirm these findings, then physicians might want to consider treating mild thyroid problems to prevent potential cardiac problems or to avoid increasing the severity of an existing heart condition,” said Doug Bauer, M.D., an author of the study and a Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine in San Francisco. Subclinical thyroid disorders are detected by a blood test that evaluates the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined by TSH levels greater than 4.5 mU/L and normal free thyroxine levels. Individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism can evolve into overt hypothyroidism, where the free thyroxine levels fall below normal, which always requires thyroid hormone therapy. The Cardiovascular Health Study involved over 3,000 adults 65 years and older, who were evaluated to determine if those individuals who had subclinical hypothyroidism had an increased risk of developing heart failure over a twelve-year period. The study shows that individuals who had a TSH level equal or greater than 10 mU/L had a two-fold risk of developing heart failure, compared to those who had normal thyroid levels. This research was presented on Oct. 4, at the 78th Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) in New York.Even Mild Thyroid Problems Double Risk Of Heart Condition
Oh joy, something ELSE to stress over!
This has actually been known for quite a while. Hypothyroidism is considered to be about 16 times more of a risk factor for heart disease than high cholesterol. The reason? Because hypothyroidism leads to elevated levels of homocysteine. Homocysteine is a pro-inflammatory compound that leads to arterial inflammation. We know that heart disease is not caused from high cholesterol, but rather inflammation. The inflammation leads to the depositing of cholesterol on arterial walls in an attempt to heal the injured area.
The good news is that homocysteine is readily lowered with TMG, DMG, SAMe or choline.
TMG! YES! Taking that!
Because hypothyroidism leads to elevated levels of homocysteine.
Why? How?
It seems that inflammation is a major problem and contributes to many other disease processes, correct?
What things cause this inflammation and what things can be taken or done to stop it or at least limit it?
DMG stands for dimethylglycine, which is another methyl donor. SAMe has a single methyl group. DMG provides two methyl groups. TMG provides 3 methyl groups and choline 4 methyl groups. Therefore SAMe is the weakest of the 4 and choline the strongest. But I prefer TMG over choline because TMG is safer in higher doses. As the TMG breaks down it forms in to DMG them SAMe.
Another advantage of TMG is that it is the least expensive of all the methyl donors.
Because hypothyroidism leads to elevated levels of homocysteine.
Why? How?
Hypothyroidism reduces liver enzymes involved in the remethylation of homocysteine. Cholesterol itself is a healing agent for the body. So any area of the body injured will lead to a flooding of cholesterol to the area in order to promote the healing process. When a chronic source of inflammation is present the cholesterol keeps flooding the area trying to heal the injury. So the cholesterol ends building up leading to arteriosclerosis.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10646653
Catargi B, Parrot-Roulaud F, Cochet C, Ducassou D, Roger P, Tabarin A.
Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Bordeaux, France. bogdan.catargi@ph.u-bordeaux2.fr
Elevation of total plasma concentration of homocysteine (t-Hcy) is an important and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Hypothyroidism is possibly also associated with an increased risk for coronary artery disease, which may be related to atherogenic changes in lipid profile. Because hypothyroidism decreases hepatic levels of enzymes involved in the remethylation pathway of homocysteine, we prospectively evaluated fasting and postload t-Hcy in patients before and after recovery of euthyroidism. Fasting and postload t-Hcy levels were higher in 40 patients with peripheral hypothyroidism (14 with autoimmune thyroiditis and 26 treated for thyroid cancer) in comparison with those of 26 controls (13.0 +/- 7.5 vs. 8.5 +/- 2.6 micromol/L, p < .01, respectively, and 49.9 +/- 37.3 vs. 29.6 +/- 8.4 micromol/L p < .001, respectively). On univariate analysis, fasting Hcy was positively related to thyrotropin (TSH) and inversely related to folates. Multivariate analysis confirmed TSH as the strongest predictor of t-Hcy independent of age, folate, vitamin B12, and creatinine. Thyroid hormone replacement significantly decreased fasting but not postload t-Hcy. We conclude that t-Hcy is elevated in hypothyroidism. The association of hyperhomocysteinemia and lipid abnormalities occurring in hypothyroidism may represent a dynamic atherogenic state. Thyroid hormone failed to completely normalize t-Hcy. Potential benefit of treatment with folic acid in combination with thyroid hormone replacement has to be tested given that hypothyroid patients were found to have lower levels of folate.
It seems that inflammation is a major problem and contributes to many other disease processes, correct?
Yes, quite a few diseases including cancer.
What things cause this inflammation and what things can be taken or done to stop it or at least limit it?
The primary thing is to maintain the health of the adrenals. Our adrenals produce our body's anti-inflammatory corticosteroids. So this is the primary source of ant-inflammatory action for the body. Secondly would be maintaining the thyroid, which can be a lot trickier due to the numerous causes of hypothyroidism. Reducing meat intake will lower levels of inflammatory arachidonic acid. Herbs that help reduce inflammation include licorice root, yucca root, nettle leaf, turmeric, amla, etc. Fish oil provides omega 3 fatty acids that also reduce inflammation.
"Fish oil provides omega 3 fatty acids that also reduce inflammation."
I take a tablespoon of organic pumpkin and sunflower seeds daily. Do i still need fish oil?
What you are taking will provide omega 3s, but fish oil also offers EPA and DHA, which you do not get from plants. So fish oil is considered better. You can take a combination of fish oil and plant omega 3s to get all the omega 3s.
Also as i'm a hypothyroid, would you advice tmg and tyrosine for life. I ran out awhile ago and haven't been taking.
It all depends on what is causing the hypothyroidism. There are so many causes so you may have to experiment a little to figure out what works for you. For example iodine sources will help with some forms of hypothyroidism, but not all forms. Tyrosine is no different. And in some cases neither kelp or tyrosine will help, such as if you have excess estrogen suppressing your thyroid. If you can narrow down the most likely cause of the hypothyroidism then you can focus on that cause. Otherwise it is experiment until you can figure it out.
I don't think my adrenals are too bad now, but wonder whether i should use the adrenal mix or version of it just as a support always. I ran out awhile ago, and just been taking some individual herbs, maca, milk thistle, gotu kola, and vitex.
It is never gong to hurt to support your adrenals, and the majority of people can definitely use the assistance since stimulants and stress are such as part of so many people's lives. Also the adrenals play so many important roles in the body other than its effects on the thyroid. Hormones, immunity, stress responses, inflammatory responses, water balance, blood pressure regulation, etc.
Also a green drink with contains acerola cherry and floradix for the ferritin, plus some of the other supplements you recommend zinc, sublingual b12,foliac etc, vit c etc. I have not been taking the bitters for awhile. Is that alright to take if suspect liver damage.
Yes, just take it easier with the bitters as to not over stimulate the flushing of the liver. Maybe start out with once ever few days.
You mention yuca and nettle.
Can you revise a mix for me using these.
for thyroid, adrenal support and liver support and healing.
Anti-inflammatory.
With the herbs you have for this purpose I would go with 5 parts nettle leaf, 3 parts each of maca and milk thistle and one part each of gotu kola and yucca root. Recommended 1/2 teaspoon of the mixture 3 times daily at least 20 minutes before meals.
How would a person know if the adrenals are healing or are healed?
Symptoms are the best indicator. For example the lack of allergies/asthma, not starting to black out upon standing, correction of abnormally low blood pressure, no longer stressed easily, no more chronic hypoglycemia, better hormone balance, etc.