August 24, 2021 — Here’s a recap of some of the latest news and information to help you feel well and live well with thyroid conditions and hormonal imbalances!
~ Mary Shomon
In This Issue
Dealing with Hashimoto’s Flare-Ups
Are You Using a Thyroid Collar When You Get Dental X-Rays?
Low Free T3/Elevated Reverse T3 and COVID-19 Outcomes
New Episodes of the Thyroid Deep Dive Podcast
The Risk of Severe Graves'/Hyperthyroidism and Relapse
TikTok Told Him He Had Thyroid Cancer!
I'm on TikTok!
Deep Dive: Biotin and Your Thyroid
Dealing with Hashimoto's Flare-Ups
On Tuesday, August 31 at 2:00 pm PT (5:00 pm ET), I'll be cohosting the next Paloma Health Speaker series. During this free virtual event, I'll be joined by Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Shanna Nemrow and Holistic Health Coach Mckenzi Cohen for a live, virtual conversation about how to spot, avoid, and manage a Hashimoto's symptom flare-up. Both speakers live with Hashimoto's disease and speak from both personal and professional experiences.
This is a free event, but you need to register to attend. You can register -- and get more information -- at https://palomahealth-flareup.splashthat.com
Are You Using a Thyroid Collar When You Get Dental X-Rays?
We're all familiar with dental x-rays. They're a frequent part of dental examinations and troubleshooting dental problems. What you may not be familiar with is that multiple guidelines state that you should be offered a way to protect your thyroid from radiation exposure during those x-rays, as long as it will not interfere with the dental examination. (It's especially important to use a thyroid collar to protect children when they’re having x-rays for dental work or orthodontia, as a child’s thyroid gland is especially sensitive to the effects of radiation exposure.)
So, how do you protect your thyroid? A small lead shield, known as a thyroid collar, will do the trick. The next time you (or anyone in your family) are getting dental x-rays, be sure to insist on a thyroid collar!
(If your dentist or orthodontist doesn't have one, you can always bring your own. A medical-grade thyroid collar is only $30 on Amazon.com.)
(Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases using links in my newsletter. I do not accept money for recommendations or links.)
More Information: You can read more about the issue of thyroid collars for dental x-rays in the journal Thyroid.
Low Free T3/Elevated Reverse T3 and COVID-19 Outcomes
More reason to optimize your thyroid function? New research has shown that the combination of low Free T3 and elevated Reverse T3 levels are associated with a higher degree of inflammatory response, and more disease severity and mortality from COVID-19. (You can read the July 2021 online abstract from the journal Thyroid.)
New Episodes of the Thyroid Deep Dive Podcast
If you're not listening to the Thyroid Deep Dive podcast, you're missing out on some amazing, cutting-edge information to help you feel and live well with your thyroid condition. The Thyroid Deep Dive is available at your favorite podcast platforms, or you can listen online, at https://www.thyroiddeepdive.com. There are also full transcripts -- and resource links -- for every episode at the site!
Episode 5, "What's On the Menu?"
For many thyroid patients, being energetic and maintaining a healthy weight are a constant struggle. Low-carb or low-fat? Paleo? Autoimmune protocol? And why is weight loss seemingly impossible for thyroid patients? In this episode, nutrition guru and bestselling author Dr. Jonny Bowden offers advice --- and some serious myth busting -- about “What’s On the Menu?” for thyroid patients who want to eat healthy and lose weight.
https://www.thyroiddeepdive.com/post/episode-5
Episode 6: “Getting Up to Speed on Levothyroxine”
There are major differences between one levothyroxine drug and another. Brand name or generic, pills, gel caps, oral solution, and compounded--it can be confusing. In this episode, learn about the pros and cons of different levothyroxine drugs. You’ll also hear from pharmaceutical researcher/professor, Dr. Charles Carter, on the risks of compounded liquid levothyroxine, and the costs of levothyroxine treatment.
https://www.thyroiddeepdive.com/post/episode-6
The Risk of Severe Graves'/Hyperthyroidism and Relapse
A new study has found that the severity of hyperthyroidism in Graves' disease is much higher in men in their 20s and 30s, and declines with age for both men and women. Women are more likely to be able to achieve remission from Graves' disease than men. And, not surprisingly, younger patients of both genders face a higher risk of Graves' disease recurrence than older patients. (You can read the May 2021 findings in the journal Thyroid.)
TikTok Told Him He Had Thyroid Cancer!
Aaroh Mankad, 22 -- who goes by the handle Seattle Tech Bro on TikTok - posted recently that observant viewers who pointed out his goiter (an enlarged thyroid) led him to get a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. It's not the first time that sharp-eyed viewers found a thyroid problem. Real Housewives star Denise Richards found a goiter after viewer comments, and "Flip or Flop" reality star Tarek El Moussa had his thyroid cancer diagnosed after viewers pointed out his enlarged thyroid. You can watch Mankad’s video on TikTok.
I’m on TikTok
Speaking of TikTok, I've ventured in! To be honest, I had to be talked into it by a friend of mine, but I've started out with a few really short videos. If you have things you'd like to see, or ideas for my TikTok, send em on! If you want to follow me, I'm ThyroidMary on TikTok, at https://www.tiktok.com/@thyroidmary
(And have no fear...I will NOT be doing any dancing or makeup and hairstyle tutorials!)
Deep Dive: Biotin and Your Thyroid
Many patients with thyroid issues have difficulties with hair loss and breakage, and as a result, take supplements that contain the hair-healthy vitamin biotin, also known as vitamin B7. If you're taking a hair vitamin, B complex formula, or another supplement containing biotin, you need to be aware of the potential for major interference with your thyroid test levels.
Specifically, biotin can interfere with the measurement of specific thyroid levels, including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Free Thyroxine (Free T4), Total Triiodothyronine (Total T3), and Thyroglobulin (Tg). In some cases, the interference can cause otherwise normal levels to fall outside the reference range, and result in misdiagnosis or improper dosage adjustment of medications to treat your thyroid condition.
Researchers evaluated the impact of 10 mg of biotin (10,000 mcg) -- which is a fairly common dosage and an amount often found in many hair vitamins, B complex formulas, and standalone biotin supplements. They found that taking biotin artificially raised FT4 and TT3 levels, in some cases above the reference range, and reduced TSH. These changes in test results could lead to either a misdiagnosis of hyperthyroidism, or the mistaken impression that a patient on thyroid hormone replacement is overmedicated. Tg levels appear to be artificially suppressed by biotin. Given that Tg levels are used as a marker for thyroid cancer recurrence, it's crucial to have accurate levels, and falsely low levels due to biotin could result in doctors missing a cancer recurrence.
What Should You Do?
Experts recommend that before you have any thyroid tests that are measuring TSH, T4, or T3 levels, you should stop taking biotin for 24 hours. If you are having Tg tested, stopping biotin for more than 24 hours is recommended. You should also make sure that your biotin intake is recorded in your medical record.
(Learn more about the biotin and thyroid study in this journal article.)
P.S. There's nothing wrong with drinking celery juice. It's just not a treatment for your hypothyroidism. Tune up your thyroid... the REAL way, with the 2021 Thyroid Tuneup. (And **save $50** if you order by midnight ET on August 31st!)