About Thyroid Disease

The Top Ten Thyroid Stories of the Decade

2009-12-30T15:39:37Z

Things have changed significantly in the past ten years for thyroid patients. But what are the biggest thyroid stories or developments that specifically affect thyroid patients? Is Oprah's on-again/off-again thyroid problem on the list? What about the ongoing fracas over the "normal" TSH test range? How about the rise of natural thyroid -- and the more recent shortages? I've taken a look back at the years 2000 to 2009, and identified The Top Ten Thyroid Stories of the Decade, the developments I personally believe had the biggest impact on us as people with thyroid disease.

What Do You Think?

I want to hear from you as well. As thyroid patients and practitioners, do you agree with my choices? Do you disagree? Do you have other developments or stories you feel should be included on the list? Share your thoughts and input now, and see what other thyroid patients and practitioners have to say.

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The Top Ten Thyroid Stories of the Decade originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 at 15:39:37.

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NBC News Coverage: Thyroid Cancer on the Rise in Women

2009-12-22T15:11:49Z

On December 21, 2009, NBC Nightly News did a short piece on the unexplained rise in thyroid cancer in women. There was nothing earth-shattering in the report, but I was at least glad to see something thyroid-related at least making it into the national news, when the national media typically go out of their way to deliberately ignore and overlook thyroid-related stories.

You can watch the NBC News piece online, as well as the additional web exclusive video piece.

And while you're at it, read more about the rise in thyroid cancer rates for women. And don't forget to do a Thyroid Neck Check yourself to check for thyroid cancer.

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NBC News Coverage: Thyroid Cancer on the Rise in Women originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 15:11:49.

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Did a Thyroid Problem Kill Brittany Murphy?

2009-12-22T14:25:44Z

Right now, there is no official word on the cause of 32-year old actress Brittany Murphy's tragic death, other than she suffered cardiac arrest. Rumors are flying, as they often do after the death of a young celebrity, suggesting that Murphy may have been using drugs. The actress had become extremely thin in recent years, and the tabloids had suggested she might have an eating disorder such as anorexia.

Some of the rumors have also suggested that Murphy may have had a thyroid disorder. Her rapid weight loss may have contributed to that rumor. Interestingly, at one point, in vehemently denying allegations of drug use, Murphy told reporters "I can't even take an over-the-counter cold remedy like Sudafed, because it will make my heart explode!" (Interestingly, some thyroid patients are extremely sensitive to stimulants like pseudoephedrine, which is in some formulations of Sudafed.)

I don't know what killed Brittany Murphy, or if she did have a thyroid condition. We need to wait for official word to find out the truth.

But could Murphy have been suffering from an undiagnosed thyroid condition? It's possible. There are millions of women in the U.S. with undiagnosed thyroid conditions. Sadly, some younger women who develop Graves' disease/hyperthyroidism -- an overactive thyroid -- experience rapid weight loss as a key symptom. Far too often, however, these women are assumed to be anorexic, and friends, family and even doctors do not recognize the signs. So when they see a teenage girl, or woman in her 20s and 30s, who is experiencing hyperthyroid symptoms such as rapid weight loss -- often accompanied by anxiety, insomnia, and even panic attacks -- even the doctor may assume that the woman is suffering from anorexia, bulimia, or an anxiety or panic disorder. Many of these women never get proper medical tests -- including thyroid evaluation -- and are instead sent off to therapists, or given antidepressants and antianxiety medication. I've heard so many stories like this that I can say that this sort of midsiagnosis is more common than is acceptable.

If someone has undiagnosed or untreated hyperthyroidism at any age, they are also at risk of a condition known as thyroid storm. Thyroid storm is extremely dangerous and frequently fatal, as the heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature can become uncontrollably high, and cardiac arrest or stroke can occur.

If it turns out that Murphy did have a thyroid condition, she would not be the first celebrity to have had a thyroid condition.

Note: Our terrific Heart Disease Guide Dr. Rich Fogoros has an informative post, Brittany Murphy: Sudden Death In the Young that talks about some of the reasons for cardiac arrest in someone as young as Murphy.

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_{Image: Chris McGrath, Getty Images Entertainment}

Did a Thyroid Problem Kill Brittany Murphy? originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 14:25:44.

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An Update on RLC's Shipping Status for Their Natural Desiccated Thyroid Drug Nature-Throid

2009-12-18T15:23:24Z

I just had the chance to speak at length with Dai Jinn, Chief Pharmacist and Chief Science Officer at RLC Laboratories, the manufacturer of the natural desiccated thyroid drugs Nature-Throid and Westhroid.

I'd had a conversation with Dai back on November 23, and at that point, Dai had said that RLC would begin shipping 1 grain Nature-Throid that week. That didn't happen, and on December 2, I checked back in with Dai to get an update. At that time, Dai said that erratic quality and availability of raw materials were making it difficult to meet their manufacturing goals, but that they expected to begin shipping 1 grain (65 mg) Nature-Throid later that week -- but more likely the following week (which would have been last week). Unfortunately, as of today, RLC is still not shipping product, as they'd hoped.

Patients and some practitioners have become increasingly concerned, to the extent that some have suggested that perhaps RLC is under some sort of gag order from the FDA, or that RLC has been forced to shut down production by the FDA, or some other action has taken place that has prevented RLC from moving forward.

I wanted to reassure thyroid patients that, according to Dai, Read more...

An Update on RLC's Shipping Status for Their Natural Desiccated Thyroid Drug Nature-Throid originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 15:23:24.

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Dear Santa Claus: Could You Have a Thyroid Problem?

2009-12-17T20:55:11Z

Some people always read "Twas The Night Before Christmas" every holiday season. Others watch "It's a Wonderful Life." But for regulars here at the Thyroid site, it isn't Christmas unless we feature a beloved piece from America's funniest thyroid patient, Jody LaFerriere. Jody got to wondering...why does Santa only go out once a year? Could he be depressed? And then there's Santa's weight problem....what is THAT all about? Is Santa all about ho ho ho or just ho ho hypo? Could it be that Santa is actually hiding a goiter under that beard? Read Jody LaFerriere's hilarious thyroid patient letter to Santa!

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Dear Santa Claus: Could You Have a Thyroid Problem? originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 20:55:11.

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When Your Family Member or Friend Has Thyroid Disease: An Open Letter to the Family and Friends of Thyroid Patients

2009-12-17T17:55:37Z

Someone posted on my Facebook wall to ask an important question that in all my years of thyroid patient advocacy, I've never really tackled. The question is: "How do you explain to your family what you are going through?"

It's difficult to fully explain what's going on with a chronic disease that is, in many ways, "invisible" to everyone but the sufferer. But perhaps this "Open Letter to Family and Friends of Thyroid Patients" can be a conversation-starter, or help in some way to help those who love us understand just a little bit better what it is like to have thyroid disease. Read the letter now.

Share YOUR Story: Supporting Thyroid Patients--Good Ideas and Horror Stories

We all know doctors and the public are cavalier, and sometimes cruel, about thyroid disease and thyroid patients. But how do friends and family react when someone they care about has a thyroid condition? Are they supportive, or do they add to the problem? If you're a thyroid patient, share your good ideas, personal experiences, and horror stories about how family and friends have reacted to you, supported you, or been less than a help. And if you're a family member or friend of someone with thyroid disease, what have you been through? Do you have ideas on how to best be supportive? Share your thoughts now!

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_{Image: istockphoto}

When Your Family Member or Friend Has Thyroid Disease: An Open Letter to the Family and Friends of Thyroid Patients originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 17:55:37.

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Great Holiday Gifts for Thyroid Patients

2009-12-16T20:26:28Z

Here are some great holiday gift ideas for that special thyroid patient in your life!! These are gifts that will keep that special someone warm, cozy, healthy and happy all year long! And, if you're a thyroid patient, check out these ideas, and maybe you'll want to print off a copy for Santa -- or your favorite gift giver! (Or, maybe you'd even like to treat yourself this holiday season!) So...let's go shopping!

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Great Holiday Gifts for Thyroid Patients originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 at 20:26:28.

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Natural Desiccated Thyroid Drugs: A Survey of Pharmacies & Availability

2009-12-10T21:13:59Z

Wouldn't it be helpful to have in one place a list of pharmacies that have recently had available supplies of natural desiccated thyroid drugs like Nature-Throid, Armour and Erfa Thyroid? The folks at the Save Natural Thyroid Coalition have put together a Natural Desiccated Thyroid Survey and Database. If you have a source for natural desiccated thyroid drugs, please submit your pharmacy recommendation. If you're looking to fill a prescription, check out the database listing of places where you can get various natural desiccated thyroid drugs. Natural Desiccated Thyroid Survey and Database.

MORE INFORMATION:

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Natural Desiccated Thyroid Drugs: A Survey of Pharmacies & Availability originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 21:13:59.

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While Overall Cancer Rates Drop, Thyroid Cancer Rates for Women Have Increased

2009-12-07T19:45:10Z

According to the journal Cancer, which publishes an "Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975-2006," while the incidence and death rates from all cancers combined have dropped quite a bit in the last 30 years, certain cancers have become more common. Specifically, according to the abstract:

Among women, incidence rates decreased...for 6 of the top 15 cancers (ie, breast, CRC, uterine corpus and uterus not otherwise specified [uterus], ovary, cervix uteri [cervix], and oral cavity). In contrast, rates increased for 8 of the top 15 cancers (ie, lung, thyroid, pancreas, urinary bladder [bladder], kidney, non-Hodgkin lymphoma [NHL], melanoma, and leukemia) in women.

According to the researchers, "large increases in thyroid cancer were observed during this period for women in all racial/ethnic groups."

This is not the first time it's been reported that thyroid cancer rates are increasing. Thyroid cancer is consistently rated as one of the few cancers that is in fact increasing in prevalence in the U.S. Read Thyroid Cancer Rates are Increasing: Better Detection is Not the Only Reason, summarizing other findings from the journal Cancer in July of 2009.

More Information on Thyroid Cancer

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_{Source: Edwards, Brenda et. al. "Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975-2006, featuring colorectal cancer trends and impact of interventions (risk factors, screening, and treatment) to reduce future rates." Cancer. Published Online 7 Dec 2009.}

_{Image: clipart.com}

While Overall Cancer Rates Drop, Thyroid Cancer Rates for Women Have Increased originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 19:45:10.

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What Does Forest Laboratories Have to Hide? Forest Labs Again Refuses to Comment Regarding Thyrolar and Levothroid Shortages

2009-12-07T11:00:32Z

Forest Laboratories, maker of three medications for thyroid hormone replacement (Armour, Thyrolar and Levothroid) has again refused to comment on a critical issue regarding their medications, leaving physicians and thyroid patients without critical information.

This latest "no comment" is one in a long series of stonewalling responses from the Forest, which has been facing various allegations of wrongdoing from the FDA and authorities for several years.

On the thyroid front, Forest has consistently refused to comment about the unannounced reformulation of their natural desiccated thyroid medication Armour Thyroid that took place earlier in 2009. This reformulation caused significant health problems for a subset of patients using Armour. Even after patients and physicians discovered that the reformulation was causing significant health problems in some patients, Forest Laboratories refused to discuss it, remedy it, or comment on it publicly.

Subsquently, when Armour became unavailable this summer, Forest Laboratories refused to comment about the shortage. They referred patients and physicians to a vague statement at the website which said Armour was on backorder, with no estimated date for its return to the market.

Thyrolar, the synthetic T4/T3 combination drug produced by Forest Laboratories, has also experienced substantial shortages and backorder for several years, but disappeared from the market earlier this year. Forest Laboratories initially blamed the U. S. Pharmacopeia, claiming that new specifications for Thyrolar were forcing the company to rerformulate.

When USP officials refuted Forest, Forest then changed the story to still blame USP, but this time, claimed that new USP specifications for levothyroxine -- an ingredient in Thyrolar -- were to blame. Not surprisingly, this is also disingenuous, as USP again refuted Forest, revealing that Forest has had several years of advance notice in which to reformulate Thyrolar to meet the new USP guidelines, so removing the drug from the market, and leaving patients without their medication, it completely unnecessary.

Now, some patients are reporting difficulties in obtaining Levothroid, Forest's brand of levothyroxine.

So, as a patient advocate, I thought I'd try yet again, to obtain information from Forest. Here is the latest email exchange: Read more...

What Does Forest Laboratories Have to Hide? Forest Labs Again Refuses to Comment Regarding Thyrolar and Levothroid Shortages originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 11:00:32.

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