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Incidence and Determinants of Spontaneous Normalization of Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Older Adults.
van der Spoel, E, van Vliet, NA, Poortvliet, RKE, Du Puy, RS, den Elzen, WPJ, Quinn, TJ, Stott, DJ, Sattar, N, Kearney, PM, Blum, MR, et al
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2024;109(3):e1167-e1174
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With increasing age, circulating levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) generally rise, accompanied by a higher prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as an elevated TSH level while the serum free T4 (fT4) concentration is within the normal range. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of spontaneous normalisation of TSH levels and identify determinants of normalisation in a large group of adults aged 65 years and older with (persistent) subclinical hypothyroidism. This study was a longitudinal study that pooled data from 2 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group clinical trials. Results showed that 60.8% of the older adults with biochemical subclinical hypothyroidism based on at least 1 elevated TSH measurement, TSH levels had returned to the normal range without intervention after a median follow-up of 1 year. Subsequently, TSH levels had still normalised after 1 year in 39.9% of older adults with persistent subclinical hypothyroidism. Younger age, female sex, lower initial TSH level, higher normal initial fT4 level, the absence of thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and a second measurement in summer were independent determinants for TSH normalisation. Authors concluded that since TSH levels spontaneously normalised in a large proportion of older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism, a third measurement is recommended before considering treatment.
Abstract
CONTEXT With age, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism rises. However, incidence and determinants of spontaneous normalization remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVE To investigate incidence and determinants of spontaneous normalization of TSH levels in older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism. DESIGN Pooled data were used from the (1) pretrial population and (2) in-trial placebo group from 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (Thyroid Hormone Replacement for Untreated Older Adults With Subclinical Hypothyroidism Trial and Institute for Evidence-Based Medicine in Old Age thyroid 80-plus thyroid trial). SETTING Community-dwelling 65+ adults with subclinical hypothyroidism from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS The pretrial population (N = 2335) consisted of older adults with biochemical subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as ≥1 elevated TSH measurement (≥4.60 mIU/L) and a free T4 within the laboratory-specific reference range. Individuals with persistent subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as ≥2 elevated TSH measurements ≥3 months apart, were randomized to levothyroxine/placebo, of which the in-trial placebo group (N = 361) was included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence of spontaneous normalization of TSH levels and associations between participant characteristics and normalization. RESULTS In the pretrial phase, TSH levels normalized in 60.8% of participants in a median follow-up of 1 year. In the in-trial phase, levels normalized in 39.9% of participants after 1 year of follow-up. Younger age, female sex, lower initial TSH level, higher initial free T4 level, absence of thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and a follow-up measurement in summer were independent determinants for normalization. CONCLUSION Because TSH levels spontaneously normalized in a large proportion of older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism (also after confirmation by repeat measurement), a third measurement may be recommended before considering treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01660126 and Netherlands Trial Register, NTR3851.
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Are probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics beneficial in primary thyroid diseases? A systematic review with meta-analysis.
Zawadzka, K, Kałuzińska, K, Świerz, MJ, Sawiec, Z, Antonowicz, E, Leończyk-Spórna, M, Abadi, AK, Trofimiuk-Müldner, M, Bała, MM
Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM. 2023;30(2):217-223
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Irregularities in intestinal microbial composition are thought to be correlated with thyroid dysfunction. Supplementation of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics are gaining momentum in recent times in improving health in general. This systematic review of randomised controlled trials was conducted to summarise the up-to-date evidence on the therapeutic potential of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics in the treatment of thyroid disease. The meta-analysis did not show beneficial effects on thyroid hormone balance, BMI or levothyroxine dosage reduction. Supplementation with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium resulted in improvement in constipation and a statistically non-significant reduction in thyroid-stimulating hormone in adult participants with hypothyroidism. Further robust long-term studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics in thyroid disease treatment as the availability of the number of studies included in this systematic review was limited. However, healthcare professionals can use the review to understand the current evidence in this area and the correlation between gut microbial alterations and thyroid disease.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE A number of studies indicate the presence of a thyroid-gut axis and the important influence of the gut microbiota on thyroid function. As prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics show therapeutic potential in the treatment of intestinal dysbiosis, the aim of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of their supplementation in primary thyroid diseases. REVIEW METHODS Electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL), registers of clinical trials, and grey literature up to 6 October 2022 were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) meeting pre-specified inclusion criteria. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021235054). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE After screening 1,721 references, two RCTs were identified, which included 136 hypothyroid participants in total. Meta-analysis of the results after eight weeks of supplementation with predominantly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains indicated a clinically and statistically nonsignificant decrease in TSH (MD -0.19 mIU/L; 95% CI -0.43 to 0.06; I2= 0%), and no effect on fT3 levels (MD 0.01 pg/mL; 95% CI-0.16 to 0.18; I2= 0%). Data from single studies indicated no significant change in the levels of fT4, thyroid auto-antibodies, BMI, levothyroxine doses, and severity of symptoms measured with validated scales. Only constipation scores showed significant improvement (MD -8.71 points in the Faecal Incontinence Questionnaire; 95% CI -15.85 to -1.57; I2= 0%). SUMMARY Low-certainty evidence from two randomised trials, suggests that routine administration of probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics may result in little to no benefit in patients with primary hypothyroidism.
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Do Dietary Supplements Affect Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidant Status in Adults with Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Disease?-A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials.
Kubiak, K, Szmidt, MK, Kaluza, J, Zylka, A, Sicinska, E
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland). 2023;12(10)
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A deficiency of the thyroid hormone causes hypothyroidism (HT), whereas Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is mainly an organ-specific autoimmune condition. Both HT and AIT are characterised by low-grade inflammation and inflammation in the thyroid gland. Dietary supplements may offer health benefits; however, previous research findings are inconclusive. This systematic review evaluated twenty-two controlled studies to understand the effectiveness of dietary supplements in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress and improving antioxidant and thyroid parameters in patients with HT or AIT. The efficacy of dietary supplements in improving thyroid health and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress was inconclusive due to the low quality of the included studies and the limited number of available studies. Selenium supplements might be beneficial in improving thyroid parameters and inflammation in patients with HT or AIT. Even though the therapeutic benefits of dietary supplements in treating thyroid disease were inconclusive, healthcare professionals can use them to address the common nutritional deficiencies in people with HT and AIT. Further, large, long-term, robust studies are required to assess the therapeutic utility of different dietary supplements in promoting the health of the thyroid gland.
Abstract
This systematic review aims to summarise the results of controlled trials on dietary supplements (DS) usage and inflammation, oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and thyroid parameter improvement in hypothyroidism (HT)/Hashimoto's thyroiditis (AIT) patients. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42022365149). A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases resulted in the identification of nineteen randomised controlled trials and three non-randomised studies for the review; three studies examined the effect of supplementation with vitamin D, twelve studies-with selenium, and seven studies-with other DS. Based on very limited evidence, the lack of influence of vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory parameters was found, while no studies have examined oxidative stress and antioxidant status parameters, and only one provided results for a single thyroid parameter after an intervention. Some evidence was found proving that selenium supplementation may decrease inflammation and improve thyroid parameters, but reaching a conclusion about its influence on oxidative stress and antioxidant status is not possible because of the insufficient number of studies. Additionally, due to examining other DS (e.g., multicomponent, Nigella sativa, and genistein) only in single studies, conclusions cannot be drawn. Further long-term, high-quality randomised controlled trials are necessary to better understand the influence of DS on inflammation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status, as well as their potential to improve thyroid gland function in HT/AIT patients.
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The effect of synbiotic supplementation on hypothyroidism: A randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial.
Ramezani, M, Reisian, M, Sajadi Hezaveh, Z
PloS one. 2023;18(2):e0277213
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Despite the increased awareness and the improvements in medical management of hypothyroidism; depression, mood disturbance and poor health-related quality of life (QoL) is common among hypothyroid patients. Synbiotics have been advocated as being beneficial to patients with metabolic diseases. Synbiotics are a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics that beneficially affect the host by improving the survival and stimulating the growth of advantageous and health promoting microbial species in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to examine whether synbiotic supplementation could enhance depression, QoL, and blood pressure, as well as thyroid hormones in hypothyroid patients. This study is a 10-week parallel design randomised placebo-controlled trial. Participants – adults with hypothyroidism - were randomly assigned to the synbiotic (n = 28) or the placebo (n = 28) group. Results show that following 10 weeks supplementation with synbiotics (500 mg of 10⁹ CFU/g probiotics plus fructo-oligosaccharide) in comparison to placebo does not affect serum thyroid stimulating hormone level and depression. However, it significantly improved blood pressure levels and various domains and areas of QoL. Authors conclude that further clinical trials are needed to assess the effectiveness of a synbiotic supplementation along with the current routine treatment for hypothyroid patients.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We hypothesize that synbiotic supplementation could modulate the intestinal microbiota and subsequently, improve the condition of hypothyroid patients. METHODS Fifty-six adult hypothyroid patients were recruited to this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. The intervention was 10 weeks of synbiotic (500 mg of 109 CFU/g probiotics plus fructo-oligosaccharide, n = 28) compared to placebo (lactose, magnesium stearate, talc, and silicon dioxide, n = 28). Randomization and allocation to trial groups were carried out using random number sequences drawn from https://sealedenvelope.com/. Primary outcomes were serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4), and secondary outcomes were depression, quality of life, and blood pressure (BP). P-values< 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS Analysis on 51 patients who completed the trial showed that TSH and depression (p> 0.05) did not change significantly, while serum FT4 significantly increased in both groups (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02 in symbiotic and placebo respectively). A significant decrease in systolic BP occurred only in the synbiotic group (p = 0.05). Significant improvements occurred regarding different domains and areas of quality of life in the crude and adjusted analysis, including perceived mental health (p = 0.02), bodily pain (p = 0.02), general health perception (p = 0.002), and wellbeing (p = 0.002), which were significantly higher in the synbiotic group. CONCLUSIONS Ten-week supplementation with synbiotic had no favorable effect on depression and TSH, but it improved blood pressure and quality of life in patients with hypothyroidism. More trials are needed to support or reject these findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION IRCT20210926052583N1, Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), registered October 1st, 2021.
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The relationship between different iodine sources and nutrition in pregnant women and adults.
Sun, R, Fan, L, Du, Y, Liu, L, Qian, T, Zhao, M, Che, W, Liu, P, Sun, D
Frontiers in endocrinology. 2022;13:924990
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Iodine is one of the essential trace elements in human body, which can only be obtained from the diet. Pregnant women are a special population, and their iodine intake needs to not only meet their own health needs but also to supply the growth of the foetus. The main aim of this study was to compare the iodine supplement measures and dietary contribution between pregnant women and adults. This study is based on a multi-stage random sampling method with a total of 2,128 pregnant women and 1,493 adults. Results show that iodine nutrition of pregnant women and adults was adequate in the four provinces included in the study. The largest difference of iodine levels between these provinces was the use of iodine during food preparation and the amount of dietary iodine intake. Additionally, the dietary iodine intake of pregnant women was less than the recommended nutrition intake. Authors conclude that various factors may affect thyroid disease prevalence in pregnant women, such as habitation (urban/rural) and gestation. Furthermore, it is important to coordinate the relationship between iodine nutrition and low sodium diet.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Different iodine supplement measures emerge along with the economy development in China. The article objectives are to compare and explore the relationship between iodine sources and nutrition of pregnant women and adults. METHODS A total of 2,145 pregnant women and 1,660 adults were investigated by multi-stage random method. Questionnaire was used to collect basic information and the consumption of food, water, and iodine preparations. Household salt and individual urine and blood samples were collected, and thyroid function and morphology of pregnant women were measured. RESULTS The median urinary iodine concentration (MUIC) of pregnant women (164.49 μg/L) was lower than adults (187.30 μg/L, p < 0.05). Iodine supplement with IS (iodized salt) was the main measure for pregnant women and adults, and the difference was mainly on the consumption of iodine preparations between pregnant women (5.19%) and adults (0.85%). Moreover, adults' dietary iodine intake from food (100.6 μg/day), IS (140.8 μg/day), and drinking water (6.0 μg/day) was higher than those of pregnant women (86.5, 107.2, and 3.5 μg/day, respectively). Compared with iodine supplement with IS, ISFP (IS + iodine-rich food + iodine preparations) could reduce the risk of iodine deficiency for pregnant women. The MUICs for pregnant women and adults of iodine supplements with IF (iodine-rich food) and ISF (IS + iodine-rich food) were lower. For pregnant women, thyroid nodule (11.90%) and peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) positive (9.32%) were high prevalent thyroid diseases, and habitation (urban/rural), gestation, annual income, and drinking water type would affect them. CONCLUSION Pregnant women and adults had adequate iodine nutrition in four provinces. Their iodine supplement measures were different, the consumption of iodine preparations in pregnant women was higher, and their dietary iodine intake was lower than adults. ISFP was an effect measure for pregnant women to supplement iodine.
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Effects of vitamin D treatment on thyroid function and autoimmunity markers in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis-A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Jiang, H, Chen, X, Qian, X, Shao, S
Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics. 2022;47(6):767-775
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Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), also called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is the most prevalent organ-specific autoimmune disorder as well as the most common cause of thyroid hypofunction. The main purpose of HT treatment is the control of hypothyroidism, including oral administration of a synthetic hormone to achieve normal circulating thyrotropin levels. The aim of this study was to review the association between vitamin D treatment in patients with HT by assessing patients’ serum circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D - 25(OH)D - level to evaluate whether a change occurs in the course of disease. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of seven cohorts of patients from six studies (3 prospective cohort studies and 3 randomised controlled trials). Results show that vitamin D might significantly increase the serum 25(OH)D levels and produce changes in thyroid peroxidase antibodies titres. However, there wasn't a significant association between serum vitamin D supplementation and the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin antibodies, free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine. Authors conclude that their findings suggest that vitamin D is not associated with the function of the thyroid in patients with HT. Thus, further well-designed randomised controlled trials with sufficient sample sizes investigating the effect of vitamin D on thyroid function are still warranted.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent evidence suggested that vitamin D deficiency was associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) pathogenesis and thyroid hypofunction. This study aimed to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation would be effective in the prevention and progression of hypothyroidism in patients with HT. METHODS PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies published from inception to August 2021. RESULTS A total of 7 cohorts of patients from six clinical trials with 258 patients with HT were included. Significant difference was found (WMD = 19.00, 95% CI: 12.43, 25.58, p < 0.001; I2 = 90.0%, pheterogeneity < 0.001) between the vitamin D group and control group in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level. And the combined results indicated vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced the level of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) compared to the control group (WMD = -158.18, 95% CI: -301.92, -14.45, p = 0.031; I2 = 68.8%, pheterogeneity = 0.007). Whereas no significant differences were found on the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) compared to the control group (p > 0.05). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that vitamin D treatment might significantly increase the serum 25(OH)D levels and produce changes in TPO-Ab titres. No significant association was found between serum vitamin D treatment and the levels of TG-Ab, TSH, FT3 and FT4, suggesting that vitamin D is not associated with the function of the thyroid in patients with HT.
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Dynamics of gut microbiota during pregnancy in women with TPOAb-positive subclinical hypothyroidism: a prospective cohort study.
Wu, M, Chi, C, Yang, Y, Guo, S, Li, T, Gu, M, Zhang, T, Gao, H, Liu, R, Yin, C
BMC pregnancy and childbirth. 2022;22(1):592
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Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in pregnancy refers to the elevation of thyroid stimulating hormone level with normal free T4 level. One third of women with SCH have been reported to test positive for anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb+). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether gut microbiota can be potential therapeutic targets for managing TPOAb+ SCH. This study was a nested, prospective observational cohort study. A total of 64 and 68 pregnant women with TPOAb+ and TPOAb negative SCH, respectively, were included in this study. Results showed that women who were diagnosed with TPOAb+ SCH in trimester (T)1 show distinct dynamics of gut microbiota from T2 to T3. Furthermore, changes in the abundances of three types of bacterial species were abnormal in the presence of levothyroxine treatment. Authors conclude that gut microbiota can serve as potential therapeutic targets for TPOAb+ SCH during pregnancy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) positivity can contribute to inhibit thyroxine synthesis. Gut microbiota can interact with metabolic or immune diseases. However, dynamics of gut microbiota from the second (T2) to the third trimester (T3) in women with TPOAb-positive/negative subclinical hypothyroidism (TPOAb+/TPOAb- SCH) have not been reported. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether gut microbiota can be potential therapeutic targets for managing TPOAb+ SCH. METHODS In this single-center prospective cohort study, we observed gut microbiota dynamics by sequencing 16S rRNA from fecal samples collected in T2 (20-23+ 6 weeks) and T3 (28-33+ 6 weeks). TPOAb+/TPOAb- SCH were stratified depending on whether or not they used levothyroxine (LT4) during the pregnancy (LT4+/LT4-). Microbiome bioinformatics analyses were performed using QIIME2. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was used for the quantitative analysis of biomarkers. Functional profiling was performed with PICRUSt2. RESULTS Distinct gut microbiota dynamics from T2 to T3 were noted in the TPOAb- (n = 68) and TPOAb+ (n = 64) SCH groups. The TPOAb+ LT4- group was characterized by enriched bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of Prevotella in T2 and Bacteria, Lachnospirales, Lachnospiraceae, Blautia, and Agathobacter in T3 and by depleted ASVs of Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacterales, and Enterobacteriaceae in T2 and Actinobacteriota, Coriobacteriia, Actinobacteria, Coriobacteriales, Bifidobacteriales, Bifidobacteriaceae, Bifidobacterium, Dorea formicigenerans, and Bifidobacterium longum in T3. The TPOAb+ LT4+ group was characterized by enriched bacterial ASVs of Blautia, Streptococcus salivarius, and Bifidobacterium longum in T3 and by depleted ASVs of Bacteroidota, Bacteroidia, Bacteroidales, and Prevotella in T2 and Agathobacter in T3. Moreover, we identified 53 kinds of metabolic functions that were mainly involved in sugar, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that low dynamics of gut microbiota composition and high dynamics of its metabolic function from T2 to T3 were associated with TPOAb+ SCH. We concluded that gut microbiota could be new targets for treatment of TPOAb+ SCH during pregnancy. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was retrospectively registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number ChiCTR2100047175 ) on June 10, 2021.
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The Influence of Reducing Diets on Changes in Thyroid Parameters in Women Suffering from Obesity and Hashimoto's Disease.
Ostrowska, L, Gier, D, Zyśk, B
Nutrients. 2021;13(3)
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Hashimoto’s disease is also known as autoimmune thyroiditis or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. It is the most common type of thyroiditis and autoimmune endocrinopathy. Weight gain is frequently the first symptom of hypothyroidism. The treatment of hypothyroidism (including autoimmune disorders) is based mainly on pharmacological treatment aimed at supplementing the deficiency of thyroid hormones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two different reducing diets and their influence on changes in thyroid parameters in female patients. This study is an interventional/observational study of 100 women aged 18–65 years with previously diagnosed Hashimoto’s disease and obesity. The women were randomly assigned to group A (the test group, n = 50) or group B (the control group). Results show that: - the elimination diets enabled an average weight loss of 21.17 kg, and the reducing diets a weight loss of 17.03 kg. - effective weight reduction led to improvement of thyroid parameters in patients suffering from obesity and Hashimoto’s disease. - an individually adjusted elimination diet may lead to better therapeutic results. Authors conclude that elimination diets are a more effective tool in reducing body fat mass in women with Hashimoto’s disease compared to standard balanced reducing diets with the same energy value and main nutrient content.
Abstract
Hashimoto's disease is listed among the most common endocrine causes of obesity. As treatment of obesity in women with Hashimoto's disease is frequently unsuccessful, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two different reducing diets and their influence on changes in thyroid parameters in female patients. A six-month observational/interventional study was performed on 100 women aged 18-65 years, previously diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease and obesity and receiving L-thyroxine. The women were randomly assigned to the test group (group A, n = 50) following elimination/reducing diets, and the control group (group B, n = 50) following reducing diets with the same caloric content (without elimination). Anthropometric and thyroid parameters were evaluated at the beginning, after 3 months and after 6 months of treatment. In both groups a significant decrease in BMI and body fat percentage was achieved, but in test group A the decrease in BMI and body fat percentage was significantly greater than in control group B (p < 0.002 and p = 0.026, respectively). Serum TSH (thyroid stimulating hormon) levels decreased significantly more in group A than in group B (p < 0.001). Group A exhibited significantly greater increases in fT4 and fT3 levels than the control group (p < 0.001) as well as significantly greater decreases in the levels anti-TPO (thyroid peroxidase) (p < 0.001) and anti-TG (thyreoglobulin) antibodies (p = 0.048). The application of reducing diets with product elimination was found to be a more beneficial tool for changing anthropometric and thyroid parameters in women suffering from obesity and Hashimoto's disease than classic reducing diets with the same energy values and macronutrient content.
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Exercise training improves quality of life in women with subclinical hypothyroidism: a randomized clinical trial.
Werneck, FZ, Coelho, EF, Almas, SP, Garcia, MMDN, Bonfante, HLM, Lima, JRP, Vigário, PDS, Mainenti, MRM, Teixeira, PFDS, Vaisman, M
Archives of endocrinology and metabolism. 2018;62(5):530-536
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Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) act on most body cells, and changes in the amount in circulation of these hormones impacts people’s health. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether exercise improves health related quality of life in women with subclinical hypothyroidism. The study included 55 female participants aged between 20 – 60 years. The women were divided into two groups; the subclinical hypothyroidism group and the control group. Results indicate that women with subclinical hypothyroidism (an elevated thyroid stimulating hormone value with normal T4 hormone levels) showed improvements in multiple domains of health-related quality of life after aerobic exercise training. Authors conclude that physical activity can be used as a strategy to improve health perception of subclinical hypothyroidism patients and should be encouraged by doctors.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim was to evaluate the quality of life (HRQoL) in women with subclinical hypothyroidism (sHT) after 16 weeks of endurance training. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In the first phase, a cross-sectional study was conducted in which 22 women with sHT (median age: 41.5 (interquartile range: 175) years, body mass index: 26.2 (8.7) kg/m2, thyroid stimulating hormone > 4.94 mIU/L and free thyroxine between 0.8 and 1.3 ng/dL were compared to a group of 33 euthyroid women concerned to HRQoL. In the second phase, a randomized clinical trial was conducted where only women with sHT were randomly divided into two groups: sHT-Tr (n = 10) - participants that performed an exercise program - and sHT-Sed (n = 10) - controls. Exercise training consisted of 60 minutes of aerobic activities (bike and treadmill), three times a week, for 16 weeks. The HRQoL was assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire in the early and at the end of four months. RESULTS Women with sHT had lower scores on functional capacity domain in relation to the euthyroid ones (770 ± 23.0 vs. 88.8 ± 14.6; p = 0.020). The sHT-Tr group improved functional capacity, general health, emotional aspects, mental and physical component of HRQoL after training period, while the sHT-Sed group showed no significant changes. CONCLUSION After 16 weeks of aerobic exercise training, there were remarkable improvements in HRQoL in women with sHT.
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Is perceived intolerance to milk and wheat associated with the corresponding IgG and IgA food antibodies? A cross sectional study in subjects with morbid obesity and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Kvehaugen, AS, Tveiten, D, Farup, PG
BMC gastroenterology. 2018;18(1):22
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Dairy and gluten are the most common triggers of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the general population. Food intolerance is generally detected by IgG antibodies, but the test is controversial. In this cross-sectional study, 97 obese subjects (82.4% women) were included, of which 72.1% had gastrointestinal symptoms, 35.7% had IBS, 31.4% had symptoms of milk intolerance, 28.6% had symptoms of wheat intolerance, and 15.7% had symptoms of intolerance to both milk and wheat. The study examined the association between IgA and IgG antibodies corresponding to milk and wheat in subjects with and without gastrointestinal issues and with and without perceptions of food sensitivity. The results of this study found no association between s-IgG and s-IgA antibodies and perceived food intolerances to milk and wheat among morbidly obese subjects. Although IgA against gliadin correlated with increased levels of zonulin, a marker of intestinal permeability, tight-junctional gut permeability inversely correlated with wheat intolerance. Furthermore, the study results revealed a significant correlation between hypothyroidism and IgG against wheat and a marginal correlation between hypothyroidism and IgG against gluten. Further robust research is needed to confirm these findings. Healthcare professionals can use the results of this study to understand the current developments and the controversy surrounding food intolerance testing.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum IgG and IgA food antibodies have been used for dietary advice to subjects with gastrointestinal symptoms and perceived food intolerance, but the role of these antibodies in mediating intolerance is controversial. The present study investigated associations between perceived gastrointestinal intolerance to milk-or wheat and the corresponding s-IgG and s-IgA food antibodies in subjects with morbid obesity. METHODS Subjects with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 or ≥35 kg/m2 with obesity-related complications) were included. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) was diagnosed based on the Rome III criteria. Severity of specific gastrointestinal symptoms were measured with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS)-IBS. S-IgG against cow's milk, cheese, wheat and gluten, and s-IgA against casein and gliadin were measured. RESULTS Ninety-seven subjects (80 females) with mean age 45 (SD 8.4) years were included, 70 had gastrointestinal complaints, 25 had IBS, and 22 and 20 reported milk- and wheat- intolerance respectively. There were no significant differences in serum concentrations or proportions of subjects above defined cut-off values for the antibodies between subjects with and without gastrointestinal complaints. In the group with gastrointestinal complaints, no significant differences were found between subjects with and without perceived food intolerance. Except for a significant correlation between IgG against cheese and GSRS-diarrhea (Rho: -0.25, P = 0.04), no significant correlations were found between the antibodies and type or degree of gastrointestinal symptoms, including IBS. CONCLUSIONS The study showed no associations between perceived milk or wheat intolerance and the corresponding s-IgG and s-IgA food antibodies in subjects with morbid obesity.