Miscarriage in Women with excessive Thyroid Hormone Exposure

The damaging effects of excess thyroid hormone on the fetus, independent of the mother's hyperthyroid state was studied in a family with RTH ( Thyroid Hormone Resistence Syndrome).Female members of a family with RTH, had high T4,T3, and suppressed TSH exactly like any hyperthyroid patient, but were resistent and euthyroid.
36 couples were in the study.There was an increase in miscarriage in mothers with RTH, when the fetus did not have RTH. The unaffective non-RTH fetus was exposed to excess thyroid hormone, and miscarried more frequently than the RTH babies that did not feel the excess due to their resistence syndrome. The non-RTH fetus had lower birth weights as well. This neat study shows how pure fetal toxicosis can effect the outcome,when the mother is euthyroid due to resistence. The direct effect on the fetus is clearly seen in this study by Refetoff et al.
Please remember to be checked before and after conception to make sure the thyroid hormone dose is correct. Too much or too little thyroid hormone can have deleterious effects on the fetus.

Dr.G.
Reference
JAMA 2004Nov 3;292917):2085-6 Anselmo,Cao,Karrison,Weiss,and Refetoff

Perchlorate in your drinking water. Can it harm your thyroid?

Solid rocket fuel contains perchorate, The ground water is contaminated with low levels. 10 California counties including L.A. county have leaked perchlorate into the aquifer, from chemical factories, and aerospace plants. L.A. has 138 wells with traces of perchlorate. Lettuce, and milk have traces of perchlorate as well.
Perchlorate can decrease the ability of the thyroid gland to uptake iodine. It has been used to slow down a hyperthyroid gland. However, studies on humans showed that, the level in our water is too low to effect the function of the thyroid gland. The report released today, by the National Research Council, places the acceptable levels in water below the level that may harm women with a thyroid problems, or iodine deficiency.The level would be about 2-6 ppb. They stated that perchlorate did pose a heath threat, in higher levels in drinking water, to the human thyroid gland, which controls the brain development in infancy. This "safe" level is much lower than that recommended by industry of about 200 ppb. They found no cancer risk from perchlorate.They studied 37 healthy adults. They received various doses of perchlorate in the tests.A good review of the effects of perchlorate on thyroid function is in Diseases of the Thyroid
2nd edition Louis Braverman MD editor page 320-322. 2003 Hunana Press, Totowa New Jersey

Dr.G.

Amber Frey has a Goiter?

The 15 minute of fame witness, Amber Frey, in the Scott Peterson conviction was on Fox News talking about her new book. While she was being interviewed, I noted a fullness in her long swan neck that moved up, and down when she talked or swallowed. This is most likely a goiter. I emailed the show to pass on my observation to her. Most people look into a person's eyes, but I look at their neck! An occupational habit. Most people wear their thyroid like a bow tie, and this can usually be seen if one makes a point to look. Family doctors need to learn that skill, if they are ever going to diagnose thyroid goiter early.

Dr.G.