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Dateline: 12/09/98

Smoking Affects Graves' Disease Treatment

According to new research, smoking reduces the effectiveness of treatments for the thyroid eye disease that can accompany Graves' disease. The October 15th issue of the "Annals of Internal Medicine" reported on the Italian researchers' findings, which showed that among patients with milder eye symptoms, smokers were more likely to have their eye disease progress after radioiodine (RAI) therapy than non-smokers. They also found that the combination of RAI plus steroids was more than four times more effective at dealing with mild eye symptoms in nonsmokers than in smokers. These findings were also applicable for people with more severe thyroid eye disease. According to investigators, "cigarette smoking increases the risk for progression of (eye complications) after radioiodine therapy and decreases the efficacy of orbital irradiation and steroids." They recommend that patients with thyroid eye disease related to Graves' disease "should be strongly encouraged to refrain from smoking." (SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine 1998;129:632-635)

Recap of First Thyroid Cancer Conference Online

On September 18, 1998 thyroid cancer (Thyca) survivors met in Boston for the first time in history at their own conference. The event, known as Thyca '98, was a gathering of survivors, their families, friends, health care professionals, and students. A recap of the conference, including the origins, agenda, opening remarks, and information on the new Thyca Outreach Network, are online.

British Researcher Indicates that High Normal-Range TSH Values May Be "Significant Departure from Normal"

According to a journal article in the British Medical Journal, "Hypothyroidism: screening and subclinical disease," A.P. Weetman, a professor of medicine at the University of Sheffield, "thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations above 2 mU/l reflect a disturbance of the thyroid-pituitary axis, values above the upper level of the typical reference range (4.5 mU/l) are highly significant departures from normal rather than one tail of the normal distribution."

Ukraine's Thyroid Cancer Rate Rises

According to the Ukraine's health minister, the thyroid cancer rate among Ukrainian children is rising in the wake of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Approximately 1,000 children have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the Ukraine. "The appearance of this disease was caused by the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant," minister Andriy Serdiuk. (Source -- AP Online; 10/19/98)

Top Doc Directory Helps Former "Prevention" Writer Find Docs for New Book

I received a call from a writer the call from a former "Prevention" writer who is working on a book about alternative treatments. He wanted names of the best doctors for alternative thyroid treatments. I sent him to our Top Doc directory, and he contacted me to let me know that he'd found 15 different doctors he was going to call and interview for his book. One of the docs has already been contacted, told his patient to thank her and thank the Top Doc Directory! If you haven't visited the Thyroid Top Doc Directory, check it out online.

Iodine Deficiency on Rise in US

The October, 1998 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported that over the last 20 years, the percentage of Americans with low intake of iodine has more than quadrupled. the researchers indicated that this trend may necessitate concerted efforts to increase iodine levels in people at risk of deficiency. Earlier in this century, iodized salt almost wiped out iodine deficiency in the U.S. The first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I), which took place between 1971 - 1974, found that just 2.6% of US citizens had iodine deficiency. The followup NHANES III survey, conducted between 1988 - 1994, found that 11.7% are iodine deficient. Of particular concern is the fact that the percentage of iodine-deficient pregnant women has increased from 1% in 1974 to 7% in 1994. Maternal iodine deficiency is particularly dangerous to a developing fetus.'' The researchers do not have a cause for the drop in levels, though it is suspected that reduced salt in the diet, plus a reduction in the use of iodine as a food ingredient, may be responsible. (SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1998;88:3401-3408)

Hanford Downwinders Can Get Radiation Dose Estimates

A new program offers estimates of radiation doses to Hanford ``downwinders'' --- those people who may have been exposed to radiation released from the Hanford nuclear facility. Hanford produced plutonium for nuclear weapons during the Cold War. Callers receive an estimate of the amount of radioactive iodine 131 that their thyroid was exposed to during Hanford's radiation releases between 1944 and 1957. Anyone interested in getting the forms needed to begin the dose estimate process should call 800/432-6242.

Seaweed Snackers Risk Iodine Overdose

According to a Reuters report, parents in Hong Kong are being warned no to let children eat too much roasted seaweed, a popular snack food. According to the Hong Kong Consumer Council, the average amount of iodine in two small packs of roasted iodine exceeds the World Health Organization's recommended daily iodine intake for children under 12, and can cause a risk of goiter or other thyroid disorders.

Hormone Replacement Market Almost $2 Billion

According to a strategic research report from Frost & Sullivan -- www.frost, the U.S. market for hormone replacement therapy, including estrogen and thyroid hormone replacement drugs, generated almost $1.8 billion in revenues in 1997. Experts expect that number to increase as people age and develop conditions such as menopause and hypothyroidism that require these drugs.

Managed Care Pressures Affect Docs and Patients

According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, doctors who work for managed care organizations feel under pressure to avoid providing information to patients about expensive treatments, and are discouraged from referring patients to specialists, which in some cases results in reduced quality of care for patients. 57 percent of the survey respondents said they were under pressure to avoid sending patients to specialists. (Source, The New England Journal of Medicine -- November 19, 1998 -- Volume 339, Number 21, Primary Care Physicians' Experience of Financial Incentives in Managed-Care Systems")

Acupuncture Helps Relieve Depression

A recent issue of the medical journal "Psychological Science" has reported that acupuncture may reduce or entirely eliminate the symptoms of depression, at rates that are similar to psychotherapy and drug treatment. Among those treated with depression-specific acupuncture treatments, 64% of the women had complete relief from all symptoms. (SOURCE: Psychological Science 1998;9:397-40)

Major Expose on Illnesses Surrounding Nuclear Facilities

The "Tennessean" has been conducting a major ongoing news investigation into mysterious health problems that doctors cannot explain that are afflicting people working at and living near nuclear weapons plants and research facilities from California to New York. The health problems identified include a high incidence of thyroid and autoimmune system problems. The newspaper found people suffering from similar constellations of health problems among residents and workers around nuclear facilities in Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Colorado, South Carolina, New Mexico, Idaho, New York, California, Texas and Washington state. Activists believe many others are suffering from similar ailments at these and other weapons sites across the nation as well. Many of the ill believe their health problems have developed due to exposure to dangerous substances released into the environment around the nuclear weapons sites. There are dozens of articles, site profiles, maps of nuclear facilities, and interviews with people, lists of symptoms, and more information all at the Tennessean's website.

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