Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : May 3, 2016 11:02 AM IST
Thyroid dysfunctions can lead to a host of health problems. First, it could interfere with metabolism of the body and lead to growth and development issues and second it could alter hormonal functions that control crucial organ functions and physiological processes. Most of the time thyroid dysfunctions are attributed as autoimmune, where the body s own immune system leads to the malfunction. However, there are certain health conditions that can make your thyroid go for a toss. Here are few of them:
Suffering from hypothyroidism can give rise to certain heart conditions. But the reverse also is a possibility. People who suffer from acute coronary diseases have a higher chance of suffering from hypothyroidism according to a study. The study took into account 410 patients who were hospitalised for acute coronary syndrome and noted a higher prevalence of hypothyroidism in females who also had elevated cholesterol levels. Not that men were less likely to suffer from this condition but females were prone. In fact, it was also seen that females who had higher LDL cholesterol levels were also being treated for diabetes [1].
Suffering from infectious liver diseases like Hepatitis C could cost your thyroid dearly. It isn t the infection that would make your thyroid go weak but the treatment for Hepatitis C that can induce thyroid dysfunction. The inferno or IFN therapy used to treat hepatitis C can cause thyroid malfunctions. In fact, the thyroid-liver association can at times lead to diagnostic confusion. As while treating a liver disease prescribing antithyroid medications can lead to Hepatitis. This is the reason why people being treated for Hepatitis C or other autoimmune conditions need to be monitored closely for thyroid malfunctions [2].
It is not to say that kidney diseases influence your thyroid directly but the reverse is true. Thyroid malfunctions (hyperthyroidism) affect the health of your kidneys, it increases renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate (the rate at which kidneys filter wastes through the network of blood vessels). This could lead to chronic kidney diseases in future which will only make the thyroid condition worse.
4. Pregnancy
There is a reason why a thyroid testing becomes compulsory during pregnancy. The hormonal changes happening at that time can affect the gland. This could lead to disorders in the fetus if left untreated. At times, a treatment module might need to be put in place to treat thyroid problems during pregnancy. However, the problems that occur during pregnancy reverses within 12 months postpartum, but at times might need attention even after childbirth [4]
5. Diabetes
Both diabetes and thyroid are disorders of the endocrine system. Where thyroid disorders have an effect on glucose levels and management of diabetes, on the other hand, diabetes upsets the functioning of the thyroid gland in various ways. This is a reason that both the conditions go hand-in-hand and needs meticulous treatment [5].
References
[1] Jr, O. M. (2006). Hypothyroidism in coronary heart disease and its relation to selected risk factors. Vascular health and risk management, 2(4), 499-506.
[2] 1: Huang MJ, Liaw YF. Clinical associations between thyroid and liver diseases. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1995 May-Jun;10(3):344-50. Review. PubMed PMID: 7548816.
[3] Basu, G., & Mohapatra, A. (2012). Interactions between thyroid disorders and kidney disease. Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism, 16(2), 204.
[4] 1: Casey BM, Leveno KJ. Thyroid disease in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2006Nov;108(5):1283-92. Review. PubMed PMID: 17077257.
[5] Hage, M., Zantout, M. S., & Azar, S. T. (2011). Thyroid disorders and diabetes mellitus. Journal of thyroid research, 2011.
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