Enhance Life's Quality Screen Early for Hypothyroidism

In the recent issue of Journal of Medical Screening, the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine along with the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, paper recently published, researchers have determined screening for women over 50 and men over 65 for hypothyroidism could greatly enhance quality of life of 100,000 people in the United Kingdom.

Researchers have demonstrated that screening adults for hypothyroidism is invaluable and would enhance people's quality of life.

Hypothyroidism comes from an under active thyroid. Most of the time the disease is not noticed due to the common symptoms of feeling sluggish, fatigue, weight gain, which are usually considered signs of nature telling us we are become older. The blood levels of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) are heightened when the thyroid becomes inactive. Researchers decided to take a look at if this could be a helpful screening test for undiagnosed hypothyroidism.

The findings had revealed that populace screening for hypothyroidism would be beneficial. Exactly one percent of those screened would have an enhanced quality of life. Director of Wolfson Institute, Professor Sir Nicholas Wald and one of the researchers states it is uncommon to locate chronic diseases in adults which can be diagnosed by screening, however, this research does exhibit that screening adults for hypothyroidism is beneficial. The UK National Screening Committee can now consider pilot screening programs.

Professor Nicholas states that medical professionals need to concentrate on preventive medicine more on enhancing quality of life when it is easy to obtain at a reasonable cost. Hypothyroidism screen just could save lives and for those affected it could give a new quality of life.

A randomized double blind cross-over trail was used. TSH measurement was conducted on people attending a general health evaluation (women aged 50 to 79 and men 65 to 79) at BPUA Wellness Centers. More than 4,000 had TSH measurements taken and eight percent had high enough values to substantiate an invitation to the trail. Among those, 110 met inclusion criteria, 56 who completed the trail taking thyroxine and a placebo in random order for four months. Participants had been asked if they felt better on either treatments without any knowledge of which was which. Among the 16 who had elevated THS levels, a few weeks apart, the results had shown 11 had more improvement on thyroxine and no participants on the placebo. The main symptoms which had shown relief where fatigue and memory loss. No adverse effects were noted.

Dr. James Haddow of Savjani Institute of Health Research in Maine, whose editorial appears in the same issue stated that the study gives proof that even mild thyroid deficiency is linked with symptomalogy and treatment leads to enhanced quality of life.

Millions of people today in the United States has hypothyroidism.

Symptoms

Deficiency of thyroid hormones cause body functions to slow. Symptoms are usually indistinct and progress gradually. Facial expressions become dull, voice is hoarse, speech slows, eyelids droop and face and eyes become puffy. Many people gain weight and cannot handle the cold. Hair is sparse, coarse and dry. Skin becomes coarse, dry, scaly and thick. Some persons can develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Older people can become confused or forgetful. Signs can easily be taken as those of Alzheimer's Disease.

If untreated it can lead to anemia, low body temperature and heart failure.

Conventional treatments are medications for replacing hormone.

Some alternative therapies used in conjunction have been known to help some people.

Nutrition

Avoid foods that depress thyroid activity, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale, soy, beans, spinach, turnips and mustard greens.

Try and omit refined foods such as wheat and sugar.

Take 1,000 to 1,500 mg flaxseed oil three times daily. These are a vital essential fatty acid which are anti-inflammatory and is needed for hormone production.

Calcium and magnesium aide the metabolic process to operate correctly. Both of these are required together. If you take 1,000 mg of calcium you need 334 mg of magnesium.

Herbs

Black Cohosh is beneficial for women with menstrual problems caused by hypothyroidism.

Kelp rich in iodine and recommend for people with insufficient quantities in their diet.

St. Johns Wort has been noted to cure depression associated to the disease.

Cayenne improves circulation.

Acupuncture

According to Chinese medicine hypothyroidism is a deficiency of qi, ying or yang, usually of the kidney. Treatments can include long term acupuncture treatments and herbs.

Acupuncture has been shown useful in the treatment of symptoms. Such as decrease of stress and blood pressure, enhancing energy levels and providing a more relaxed feeling.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic treatments may aide in overall health of patient by treating the nervous system, muscles and bones. Therapy involves the back and neck adjustments. The outcome from manipulations of the nerves which extend out of the spine to remove any interferences in the nervous system.

Chiropractic care also increases the metabolism of hypothyroidism patients. It aids in normalizing heart rate and cholesterol levels and enhances the bodies energy.

Massage

Massage therapy aides in removing tension from the muscles and stiffness from the body. It also enhances the immune system and gives a sense of well being to the patient.
Sources:

Medical News Today

Harvard Health Education

Mereck Manuals

Thyroid Guide

Acupuncture Today

Everest Therapeutics

A & L Chiropractic Center