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Vitamin D deficiency and Hyperthyroidism
Identifier
012197
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
This paper shows that Vitamin D deficiency can produce hyperthyroidism. In some children hyperthyroidism is the same as ADHD.
TSH concentrations are measured as part of a thyroid function test in patients suspected of having an excess (hyperthyroidism) or deficiency (hypothyroidism) of thyroid hormones.
Hyperthyroidism is due to an excess of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is critical to normal function of cells. In excess, it exacerbates the effect of the sympathetic nervous system, causing "speeding up" of various body systems and symptoms resembling an overdose of epinephrine (adrenaline). It is like being permanently on amphetamines and the body becomes exhausted. Therefore, some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism may be as follows
- Nervous system - nervous system tremor such as of the hands, hyperactivity. In some susceptible individuals (in particular of Asian descent) temporary paralysis can occur. An association between thyroid disease and myasthenia gravis has been recognized
- Mental problems – Anxiety and depression, irritability, difficulty sleeping. In severe cases there may be delirium. Panic attacks may occur and there may be an inability to concentrate, and memory problems may also occur. Psychosis and paranoia are common during thyroid storm.
- Gastrointestinal - More frequent bowel movements may occur. There may also be nausea or even vomiting
- Metabolism and weight – there may be wild fluctuations. Weight loss, sometimes significant, may occur, although 10% of people with a hyperactive thyroid experience weight gain.
- Muscles - muscle aches, weakness and fatigue.
- Heart - The effects on the heart can be quite severe with a racing heart or fast heart beat, palpitations and arrhythmias (the notable ones being atrial fibrillation), accompanied by shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Reproductive system – loss of libido and in women, menstrual flow may lighten and menstrual periods may occur less often. There may be erectile dysfunction and reduced sperm count in men.
- Eyes – Eye problems can occur – ‘floaters’ in mild cases, blurred vision, temporary distortion of vision. In more serious cases, the eyes may look enlarged because the eye muscles swell and push the eye forward. Sometimes, one or both eyes may bulge.
A description of the experience
Clin Exp Med. 2014 Jun 13. [Epub ahead of print] TSH levels are associated with vitamin D status and seasonality in an adult population of euthyroid adults. Barchetta I1, Baroni MG, Leonetti F, De Bernardinis M, Bertoccini L, Fontana M, Mazzei E, Fraioli A, Cavallo MG. Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
A circannual periodicity in thyrotropin (TSH) secretion has been reported but the causes of these phenomenon are still undefined.
Vitamin D exerts a direct influence on pituitary axes including the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis.
Aims of the present study were to investigate the presence of a seasonal variability of TSH secretion and to study the association between vitamin D status and TSH levels in a population of euthyroid [normal functioning thyroid] adults.
For this purpose, we recruited 294 euthyroid adults (M/F 133/161, 48.5 ± 12.4 years). Study participants underwent clinical examination and routine biochemistry assessment.
Vitamin D deficiency was diagnosed for serum 25(OH) vitamin D <25 nmol/l.
Significantly higher TSH levels were found in subjects who underwent blood sampling during the Autumn-Winter compared with individuals evaluated in Spring-Summer (2.3 ± 1.3 vs. 1.8 ± 1.1 μIU/ml, p = 0.03).
Vitamin D deficiency was strongly associated with higher TSH levels (p = 0.01) after adjusting for sex, age, and sample's season. Although vitamin D deficiency was also associated with metabolic syndrome and its components, the association between TSH levels and vitamin D status persisted also considering these confounders. These data reveal the occurrence of seasonal variability of serum TSH concentration in euthyroid subjects and provide evidence for the first time that an association exists between vitamin D status and serum TSH levels.
PMID: 24925636
The source of the experience
PubMedConcepts, symbols and science items
Concepts
Staring and bulging eyesSymbols
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Overloads
AnxietyDepression
Erectile dysfunction
Heart failure and coronary heart disease
IBS
Intestine disease
Muscle diseases
Myasthenia gravis
Nausea
Obesity
Reproductive system disease
Skin diseases
Sleep deprivation, insomnia and mental exhaustion
Stomach disease
Thyroid disease
Suppressions
Blindness, macular degeneration and other sight impairmentCod liver oil
Vitamin D