PR4NOW, diogenes, anyone...: Can anyone explain... - Thyroid UK

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PR4NOW, diogenes, anyone...

greygoose profile image
69 Replies

Can anyone explain this? How can it possibly be true?

healthimpactnews.com/2014/t...

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greygoose profile image
greygoose
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69 Replies
Jazzw profile image
Jazzw

I've read about iodine deficiency being a cause of breast cancer before - several years ago in fact. But I wonder whether this is a case of misplaced cause and effect.

If you're hypothyroid, you're likely to be oestrogen dominant. Oestrogen dominance is strongly associated with cancer full stop, not just breast cancer.

So I think it's more likely that undertreated hypothyroidism contributes to a greater risk of breast cancer, rather than iodine deficiency. I'll be reading what others have to say with interest.

But this line puzzled me most:

"If someone is iodine deficient and is prescribed thyroid hormone, thyroid supplementation will worsen the iodine-deficiency problem."

I can't see why or how that could be true, given that both levothyroxine and liothyronine contain iodine-containing molecules.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Jazzw

You echo my thoughts exactly!!! I'm so glad someone else thinks the same. I cannot see why anyone would come up with a thing like this and give no in-depth explanation. That is not normal in itself. We hypos like our détails! lol Not to mention links to research papers and all the rest.

For myself, when I was tested for iodine four years after starting thyroid hormone replacement, my iodine level was through the roof! And I wasn't taking any form of suppliment, or eating much in the way of fish and stuff. I don't see why I should be an exception to the rule. No, it just doesn't make any sense.

But I was really keen to hear the views of PR4NOW and diogenese. I sincerely hope they will respond.

gabkad profile image
gabkad in reply to greygoose

This Brownstein guy recommends huge doses of iodine. This is so unrealistic and unnatural. If a person drinks milk (300 microgram per liter) and uses iodized salt, that's plenty enough I think. But I'm a nobody. Eat fish and seafood to get iodine too.

I think he says somewhere that fibroids are iodine deficiency too.

These things are a bit wild speculation and relying on correlations as causation. There has been no studies in Pubmed that indicate that aetiology is due to low iodine. But I still think being low iodine is not good. Just get it from food and not from Lugol's.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to gabkad

I agree.

He implies that they have done studies which prove this crazy figure. But once again, where's the detailed explanation.

But now I come to think of it, this is typical of the fans of iodine. I've tried before, on many occassions, to get detailed explanations from various members of the iodine club as to why they recommend such high doses, and I've read on the sites they've recommended, but it's like eating Jelly with a fork! It all just falls between the prongs and you're left with nothing substantial to get your teeth into (ok, I like my Jelly thick!). I have tried and tried to get to the bottom of it but nobody wants to explain, some just say oh, you wouldn't understand, so I just conclude that they don't really know. It's more like a religious sect than a scientific gathering. Sorry if this upsets anyone, but I speak as I find. And I've never found anything that convinces me that we need high doses of iodine.

The most tangible thing anyone has ever said to me on this subject is that there are iodine receptors in the breasts. Yes. And? But no more is forthcoming. So... I don't know!

gabkad profile image
gabkad in reply to greygoose

From what I've gleaned, the iodine receptors are in the mammary glands themselves so that mother's milk will contain iodine. End of story.

I won't even get into why it's probably not a good idea for a breastfeeding mother to take multi milligrams of iodine every day.....

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to gabkad

No need, I can imagine. OK, thanks, people. I can go back to bed now. lol

So why are you all up at this time??? OK Gabkad, you're in the US, but what's everybody elses excuse? We hypos need our rest, so back to bed with you! xxx

gabkad profile image
gabkad in reply to greygoose

goosey, I'm in Toronto, Canada.......'Merican? Nope.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to gabkad

Yes, I know you're Canadian, but I thought you said you lived in the US. My bad! Sorry.

gabkad profile image
gabkad in reply to greygoose

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Clutter profile image
Clutter

GG, I think the explanation is Dr. Brownstein is promoting the 5th edition of his book.

Iodine deficiency does cause some hypothyroidism and thyroid function may be restored in some hypothyroid people if the deficiency is corrected but I think its sensationalist to imply that taking replacement increases risk of breast cancer by 200%.

A lot of us wouldn't be at any risk for bc or anything else if we didn't take thyroid replacement because we'd be dead.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Clutter

OK, I get what you're saying, and I know that iodine deficiency causes a lot of hypo. But why would they want to imply that taking replacement hormone increases the risk of breast cancer? What do they have to gain by saying that? Sales of iodine? They'll hardly make their fortune that way!

If it's just to sell his book, I think he's taking a huge risk of making himself unpopular by scaremongering. No, it still doesn't make any sense, I'm afraid.

fairlilith profile image
fairlilith in reply to Clutter

Your last sentence is so very true.

HIFL profile image
HIFL

First, note that the author is Dr. Brownstein, a known advocate of high dose iodine, which in my opinion, is marketing at its finest. Humans need, at a minimum 150 mcg, not 50 mg.

Second, most people who do take thyroid hormone are dosed by TSH, which means they are undermedicated--they are hypothyroid at some level. I would expect, though I have no proof, that being hypo could lead to cancer. But there are also studies that show high levels of T3 correlate with breast cancer, so studies are contradictory.

Third, while iodine is a component of thyroid hormone, iodine and thyroid hormone are not the same thing, and do not have the same effect on cells. Thyroid hormone receptors are for thyroid hormone, not iodine. They are physically different. I do not put stock into anything Dr. Brownstein or Dr. Abraham say. If you want to read an extremely comprehensive analysis of how iodine really works in the body, there's a chapter in the Tired Thyroid book that is eye-opening: amazon.co.uk/gp/product/149...

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to HIFL

Thank you for that, HIFL. I've added it to my wish-list. Now, if Father Christmas is listening...

Yes, I do agree with you about iodine, and it's something I've been saying for a long time, but, the hype is so strong...

So, if I have understood what you're saying, they are saying that the thyroid hormone receptors take up all the iodine? That doesn't make any sense! But, as I said, the fact that they don't give any explanation in this article is highly suspect.

HIFL profile image
HIFL in reply to greygoose

"They" say there are "iodine receptors." There are no such thing. The whole protocol is based on unsubstantiated BS, right down to what the Japanese eat, the urine testing, and "bromide detox," their euphemism for iodine poisoning. Brownstein's article makes no sense, and you're questioning it because it makes no sense. That's the gist of it! Many of Abraham's articles are that way too. He talks in gibberish, and I think people think they just don't understand because they're not educated enough, but since he's a doctor, he must know what he's talking about. Bottom line, it's all smoke and mirrors to sell you Iodoral.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to HIFL

Brilliant explanation! I like it!

But that's immoral! Or am I just naive?

I don't think I've ever read anything by Abraham's before. Are they buddies?

HIFL profile image
HIFL in reply to greygoose

Just because you have morals doesn't mean others have to! Abraham's writings are the reference for all things iodine. Problem is, a lot of it is propaganda, not based on any real science.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to HIFL

Saddly, you're right. And I am too naive! lol

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to HIFL

There is (or at least was) an article on the Tired Thyroid website.

I do find it difficult to understand how an amount somewhere around 300 times the apparent requirement is a good thing. (In tjhings like B12 treatement, it is very much the inability to absorb and poor functioning of entero-hapatic recirculation that end up requiring such huge multiples of daily requirement.)

When thyroid hormone is converted, that releases iodine which (according to usual descriptions) gets recirculated to the thyroid. At point of ingestion thyroid hormone is indeed very different to iodine, but later on... ?

faith63 profile image
faith63

I'll bet the majority of people studied, where on t4 alone and most people are then, undertreated...so being Hypothyroid or having Hashimotos, which is the cause of the majority of Hypothyroidism, then, will increase the risk of breast cancer? Maybe not Iodine at all.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to faith63

That's what I thought.

diogenes profile image
diogenesRemembering

First of all, look at the date of the article - 1976 - way before even Dick's days. In those days the quality of articles left much to be desired. There can be many explanations of the results. Certainly the iodine story is I think nonsense. The cause of the increased breast cancer rate could be due to all sorts of things accompanying but not dependent on T4 replacement. It could be due to the disease that caused hypothyroidism in the first place - e.g. immune problems in e.g. Hashimoto's. As an unethical and impossible question - do women who are permanently hypo by autoimmune disease also have increased probability of breast cancer? In other words, is it the disease that caused the thyroid problems to blame rather than the therapy (T4, NDT or T4/T3 mixtures). The article cannot decide this.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to diogenes

Thank you, Diogenese. I did look for the date of the article, but couldn't find it. Well, that explains a lot and backs up what I was wondering.

Glynisrose profile image
Glynisrose

Its not, how can you not take thyroxine if you need it? I can agree that levo may cause higher conditions but no-one would take any medicine lightly.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Glynisrose

And, to be pedantic, thyroid hormone replacement isn't médicine. It's replacement hormone, just replacing what the body can't produce and needs to live.

Glynisrose profile image
Glynisrose in reply to greygoose

Diogenes was an ancient Greek philosopher

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Glynisrose

Yes, and he lived in a barrel, or something, and went looking for an honest man!

But I expect our Diogenes lives in a house. lol

greygoose profile image
greygoose

Thank you everybody that replied here, you've set a lot of people's minds at rest!

On the face of it, the article was rubbish, but one never knows if there's something lurking in the shadows that might be missed! Better to be safe than sorry, and ask those that really know!

Hugs to you all, Grey

ThyroidThora profile image
ThyroidThora

Hi Greygoose,

The information contained within the article is a little confusing. From my understanding if you are taking thyroid hormones you shouldn't take iodine as this can interfere with the potency of the hormones. For example, the extra iodine can be used to make thyroid hormones in addition to the supplemental thyroid hormones and cause someone to go hyperthyroid leading to other health complications such as Atrail phibrillation (apologies for spelling errors)

As regards breast cancer, I think it is linked to eostrogen dominance in the body, and not necessary linked to iodine deficiency. Iodine deficiency causes goitres in the thyroid that can lead to complications such as an under active thyroid, but this is not necessary so as some people get goitres and don't have an under or over active thyroid.

Upon reflection this article needs to be read with caution as there doesn't seem to be any scientific evidence cited in the body of the text.

TT xx.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ThyroidThora

Thora, it dépends whether you're iodine deficient or not. If you have Hashi's, taking iodine won't lead to being hyper because the thyroid gland is not capable of making more hormone because it has been partially destroyed (although even that is subject of debate!). However, if your hypo is caused by iodine deficiency, then taking iodine might enable you to come off replacement thyroid hormone. It's somewhat complicated and should really be handled by an iodine-literate doctor - IF you can find one! lol

Some breast cancer is due to estrogen dominance, but I believe that some can be caused by iodine deficiency. There again, it's relatively complicated. and the thing about this article is that it doesn't give any detail, which is not normal.

Actually, I don't think the article should be read at all!!! lol But it was posted on another group, and everyone was panicking, so I thought I'd see what the experts, like Diogenes, on here thought about it and if there was a glimmer of truth in it. Not all groups are Lucky enough to have the knowledgeable people we have here.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to greygoose

Not quite so. There are two ways in whiuch iodine can cause thyrotoxicosis - and one is from a thyroid proiducing more thyroid hormone. The other is that pre-formed thyroid hormone can be released in excess. Sure, if the thyroid has already largely been destroyed, this seems much less likely.

Paper on Amiopdarone:

Amiodarone is an iodine-based, potent antiarrhythmic drug bearing a structural resemblance to thyroxine (T4). It is known to produce thyroid abnormalities ranging from abnormal thyroid function testing to overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. These adverse effects may occur in patients with or without preexisting thyroid disease. Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is a clinically recognized condition commonly due to iodine-induced excessive synthesis of thyroid, also known as type 1 AIT. In rare instances, AIT is caused by amiodarone-induced inflammation of thyroid tissue, resulting in release of preformed thyroid hormones and a hyperthyroid state, known as type 2 AIT. Distinguishing between the two states is important, as both conditions have different treatment implications; however, a mixed presentation is not uncommon, posing diagnostic and treatment challenges. We describe a case of a patient with amiodarone-induced type 2 hyperthyroidism and review the current literature on the best practices for diagnostic and treatment approaches.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/254...

Not quite the same as iodine/iodide, but interesting. Full paper is available.

Rod

ThyroidThora profile image
ThyroidThora in reply to greygoose

Hi Greygoose,

It's a very complicated topic and it's not just the thyroid that makes thyroid hormones, the liver and kidneys do too. Plus, differentiated thyroid cancers use iodine to make thyroid cancer hormones to help it to grow.

The article is a little alarming and perhaps a warning should be posted on this website airing caution about its' content.

TT x.

diogenes profile image
diogenesRemembering in reply to ThyroidThora

Just as a matter of info, only the thyroid makes thyroid hormones de novo, but the other tissues including kidney and liver can convert existing T4 from the thyroid into T3 for the organ's use. The liver can also take up and release T4 bound to one of the transport proteins TBG. This is especially evident in diabetic coma, where in a matter of minutes the TBG and T4 levels in such a patient's blood can fluctuate alarmingly. The kidney also converts T4 and T3 into sulphates and glucuronides to excrete small amounts of hormones into urine.

ThyroidThora profile image
ThyroidThora in reply to diogenes

What is T4 and T3 then? Are these not thyroid hormones? Plus T2, T1, Reverse T3 etc, these are thyroid hormones.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ThyroidThora

Yes, these are thyroid hormones.

The thyroid gland makes mainly T4 + some T3 and tiny amounts of T2 and T1.

But most of our T3 is made by removing one iondine molecule from T4 - the 4 means that there are four iodine molecules. Thyroid hormones are made from iodine and tyrosine.

Then, T2 is made by removing one iodine molecule from T3.

And T1 is made by removing one iodine molecule from T2.

This can happen anywhere in the body, but mostly in the liver.

However, that process is called 'conversion', not 'making thyroid hormones', that is only done in the thyroid gland itself.

ThyroidThora profile image
ThyroidThora in reply to greygoose

They're still thyroid hormones and I do know about the chemical structure of them in relation to iodine and tyrosine molecules. I'm a science teacher!

As regards 'conversion' technically the thyroid gland is taking iodine and tyrosine from the diet and converting it into thyroid hormones, along with the liver and kidneys.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ThyroidThora

No, Thora, thyroid hormones are not produced in the liver and kidneys.

They are 'produced', 'created', 'made' - whatever term you wish to use - in the thyroid gland.

'Conversion' is converting T4 to T3, etc. That is the term we use. That is understood by everyone that uses this site.

I'm sorry if I offended your Professional pride, but being a science teacher does not make you an expert on thyroid.

ThyroidThora profile image
ThyroidThora in reply to greygoose

You haven't offended my professional pride but surely the thyroid gland is converting T4 (thyroid hormone) into T3 (thyroid hormone) when it loses 1 iodine molecule in the conversion process.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ThyroidThora

The thyroid gland produces the thyroid hormones from iodine and tyrosine. Mainly T4, but also some T3 (not converted, made as T3) and a little T2 and T1.

Thyroid hormones can be converted anywhere in the body, but mostly in the liver. Not in the thyroid gland itself.

HIFL profile image
HIFL in reply to greygoose

Actually, there is some conversion done in the gland, but a gland cannot manufacture T1, because thyroid hormone is made by "coupling" two building blocks. Coupling can only result in T2, T3, or T4. It's physically impossible to create T1, though it could come from deiodination. tiredthyroid.com/blog/2012/...

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to HIFL

Ah, good point! Also, there is some argument as to whether T1 exists at all. Although those that recommend NDT always say it has all the thyroid hormones : T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin.

But, my original point still stands: thyroid hormones are produce in and secreted from the thyroid gland. And deiodination - usually called conversion here - happens mainly in the cells, especially the liver. The liver and kidneys do not manufacture thyroid hormones.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to greygoose

Those who recommend desiccated thyroid on that basis tend not to have much evidence.

The majority of T2 comes from conversion/deiodination of T3 and rT3. I suspect that the amount obtainable from a tablet is infinitesimal.

I also always question the calcitonin. Porcine calcitonin is not absolutely identical to human, and experience with salmon calcitonin (which was used as a medicine) suggests that it is liable to get broken down in the gut. Not saying I know the impact of these points, but I have never seen anything which satisfactorily addresses them.

Rod

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to helvella

Yes, I imagine it would be infinitesimal. But then again, who knows how much we really need. I don't think much research has been done on T2, has it?

The thing I always think about calcitonin is that those of us who do well on synthetic T3 and/or T4 seem to do very well without it. But not much is talked about that, either.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to greygoose

However much we need, we actually get quite a bit! The amount of T2 in desiccated thyroid is way below the amount of T3. If T3 is converted to T2 on a one-for-one molecule basis, as appears, that suggests an amount that we might need.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to helvella

So, what does T2 actually do?

PR4NOW profile image
PR4NOW in reply to greygoose

There is some thought that it has an effect in the mitochondria. There is much to be discovered yet. PR

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to PR4NOW

Indeed there is!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to greygoose

The most recent T2 paper I could find, has some interest,...

Thyroid. 2014 Oct 24. [Epub ahead of print]

Translating Pharmacological Findings from Hypothyroid Rodents to Euthyroid Humans: Is There a Functional Role of Endogenous 3,5-T2?

Pietzner M1, Lehmphul I, Friedrich N, Schurmann C, Ittermann T, Dörr M, Nauck M, Laqua R, Völker U, Brabant G, Völzke H, Köhrle J, Homuth G, Wallaschofski H.

Author information

Abstract

Background: During the last two decades, it has become obvious that 3,5-diiodothyronine (3,5-T2), a well-known endogenous metabolite of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) or triiodothyronine (T3), not only represents a simple degradation intermediate of the former but also exhibits specific metabolic activities. Administration of 3,5-T2 to hypothyroid rodents rapidly stimulated their basal metabolic rate, prevented high-fat diet-induced obesity as well as steatosis, and increased oxidation of long-chain fatty acids.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze associations between circulating 3,5-T2 in human serum and different epidemiological parameters, including age, sex, or smoking, as well as measures of anthropometry, glucose, and lipid metabolism.

Methods: 3,5-T2 concentrations were measured by a recently developed immunoassay in sera of 761 euthyroid participants of the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania. Subsequently, analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression analysis were performed.

Results: Serum 3,5-T2 concentrations exhibited a right-skewed distribution, resulting in a median serum concentration of 0.24 nM (1st quartile: 0.20 nM; 3rd quartile: 0.37 nM). Significant associations between 3,5-T2 and serum fasting glucose, thyrotropin (TSH), as well as leptin concentrations were detected (p<0.05). Interestingly, the association to leptin concentrations seemed to be mediated by TSH. Age, sex, smoking, and blood lipid profile parameters did not show significant associations with circulating 3,5-T2.

Conclusion: Our findings from a healthy euthyroid population may point toward a physiological link between circulating 3,5-T2 and glucose metabolism.

PMID:

25343227

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/253...

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to helvella

Interesting...

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ThyroidThora

Thora, only the thyroid makes thyroid hormones. However, the thyroid hormone T4 is converted into T3 in the liver and in other cells, but that's not the same as 'making' thyroid hormone.

And I really don't think there's such a thing as thyroid cancer 'hormones'. I'm not sure what you're thinking about here. But I suppose that as iodine stimulates the thyroid, it could also stimulate the cancer. I think you might have got a little confused here.

As for a warning about this article, I think the things that have been said here are warning enough that it's rubbish.

diogenes profile image
diogenesRemembering in reply to greygoose

Something useful to mull over here - can only get page1-2 otherwise have to pay. It shows iodine deficiency per se has an effect on breast cancer frequency - but of course if you take T4 or T4/T3 for hypothyroidism, this will be ultimately largely broken down to iodide which the salivary gland will take up and redistribute to your tissues as iodine as needed. So its only when you are iodine-deficient generally from natural sources and are straining through goitre formation to keep your thyroid going (at the expense of everywhere else) that troubles might arise. I don't see thyroid therapy as a source of iodine deficiency for the reasons above.

Cancer Causes & Control

February 2000, Volume 11, Issue 2, pp 121-127

Hypothesis: Iodine, selenium and the development of breast cancer

Stephen A. Cann, Johannes P. van Netten, Christiaan van Netten

Abstract

Background: In this paper we examine some of the evidence linking iodine and selenium to breast cancer development. Seaweed is a popular dietary component in Japan and a rich source of both of these essential elements. We hypothesise that this dietary preference may be associated with the low incidence of benign and malignant breast disease in Japanese women. In animal and human studies, iodine administration has been shown to cause regression of both iodine-deficient goiter and benign pathological breast tissue. Iodine, in addition to its incorporation into thyroid hormones, is organified into anti-proliferative iodolipids in the thyroid; such compounds may also play a role in the proliferative control of extrathyroidal tissues. Selenium acts synergistically with iodine. All three mono-deiodinase enzymes are selenium-dependent and are involved in thyroid hormone regulation. In this way selenium status may affect both thyroid hormone homeostasis and iodine availability.

Conclusion: Although there is suggestive evidence for a preventive role for iodine and selenium in breast cancer, rigorous retrospective and prospective studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Authors

Stephen A. Cann hvannetten@caphealth.org), hvannetten@caphealth.org) (1) (2)

Johannes P. van Netten hvannetten@caphealth.org) and (1) (2)

Christiaan van Netten (3)

Author Affiliations

1. Special Development Laboratory, Royal Jubilee Hospital, 1900 Fort Street, Victoria, BC, V8R 1J8, Canada

2. Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada

3. Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to diogenes

Ah, yes, someone mentioned this study to me, it doesn't prove anything, does it. But Brownstein doesn't mention selenium anywhere that I can see.

I thought exactly the same about thyroid therapy. It just doesn't make sense.

ThyroidThora profile image
ThyroidThora in reply to greygoose

Yes, there is thyroid cancer hormones. My differentiated cancer uses iodine to make thyroid cancer hormones to ensure it's growth and survival.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ThyroidThora

Well, i don't know, I've googled it and I can't find anything to that effect. Do you have any links? Where are these hormones made?

ThyroidThora profile image
ThyroidThora in reply to greygoose

You won't find it on the net, I found it in medical text books when I was researching my cancer last year. This is why they call the 2 main thyroid cancers (papillary and follicular and their variants) differentiated because they work differently to other cancers because they can make thyroid hormones. They extract iodine from the diet just like normal thyroid cells and make thyroid cancer hormones. On reflection, it would appear that it is a sort of symbiotic relationship because the cancer cannot survive without iodine in the thyroid to make thyroid cancer hormones and, in my case, I think the thyroid cancer was making the hormones keeping me alive because as soon as it was removed I was plunged into hypothyroidism even though I still have my left thyroid lobe. If I come across my sources I'll let you know. I don't have them to hand because I have various notes here, there and everywhere and I've never got round to compiling my booklet since I started looking after my grandson when his mum went back to work.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ThyroidThora

OK, well, I look forward to reading that.

Given how hard is to get a diagnosis and how many people are undermedicated, perhaps it is being hypo for more than 15 years that increases your cancer risk.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Angel_of_the_North

Could well be!

PR4NOW profile image
PR4NOW

Grey, this is the abstract, JAMA wants $30.00 for the full article.

jama.jamanetwork.com/articl...

ABSTRACT.

"This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between thyroid supplements and breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer among the patients who received thyroid supplements was 12.13%, while in the control group it was 6.2%. The incidence rate of breast cancer was 10%, 9.42%, and 19.48% among patients who received thyroid supplements for one to five, 5 to 15, and for more than 15 years, respectively. The incidence of breast cancer among nulliparous women who received thyroid supplements was 33%, while in the nulliparous women without thyroid supplements the incidence was only 9.25%. Even in a specific age group, the incidence rate of breast cancer was higher among patients receiving thyroid supplements, when compared to the control patients in the same age group."

(JAMA 236:1124-1127, 1976)

This is the correction to the article.

"Two errors occurred in the ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION entitled "Breast Cancer: Relationship to Thyroid Supplements for Hypothyroidism," published in the Sept 6 issue (236:1124-1127, 1976). On page 1125, in Table 6, the percentage in parentheses in column 3, for those over 65 years of age, should have been 67%, instead of 7% as printed. On page 1126, under "Comment," the first sentence should have been omitted; it was a marginal comment explaining a deletion and not intended for publication."

I have not seen this as a theme in other articles I have read. I'm also more than a little dubious about the quality of the science. Cancer is complicated and our understanding is limited still. Here are two current articles about cancer which demonstrate that fact.

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/239...

Iodine is without a doubt the most contentious subject in the thyroid world. I have read much of what has been written and my conclusion is that we lack a deep understanding of the possibilities it presents. Unfortunately we are unlikely to see much research into this subject, no huge profits to be made.

If there were additional rigorous studies showing the same conclusion I would be concerned but as I said I haven't seen this as an ongoing theme. PR

HIFL profile image
HIFL in reply to PR4NOW

"The incidence of breast cancer among nulliparous women who received thyroid supplements was 33%" This is the highest percentage in the article. Nulliparous means they did not have any children. Hypo is a known cause of infertility, so these women were probably undermedicated and still hypo, in my opinion, due to being dosed by TSH. Hypo is also associated with PCOS, which can affect hormones, which could lead to changes in the breast.

Don't know if you saw my earlier post, but the Tired Thyroid book has the most comprehensive analysis of iodine I've ever seen. It talks about the association of high prolactin (found in hypothyroid women), high estradiol, and breast cancer.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to HIFL

Isn't not having children supposed to give you a higher risk of breast cancer? I'm sure I read that somewhere. Or am I muddling it up with some other type of cancer?

HIFL profile image
HIFL in reply to greygoose

I recall reading that too. But was it a choice? Or were they hypo?

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to HIFL

Ah, I don't think that was mentioned! Or, probably, even thought about.

PR4NOW profile image
PR4NOW in reply to HIFL

HIFL, yes, I have a copy of her book, it is a good read. PR

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to PR4NOW

Thank you, PR, I will read those links when I have a minute. But is it Worth paying $30 for the full article?

Seems to me that if the only thing that was taken into account was the fact that they were taking thyroid hormone replacement, the results don't mean much because there are so many other variables. And they also don't say what type of hormone replacement they were taking. Does that go for all types, or just levo? Also, that does not explain the claims about iodine! Sounds to me like a waste of research time, really.

PR4NOW profile image
PR4NOW in reply to greygoose

Grey, another article that addresses the subject from 2003.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Free PDF of article.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Also available online at the Journal site.

breast-cancer-research.com/...

"Introduction

In this issue of Breast Cancer Research Turken and coworkers [1] describe an association between breast cancer and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), showing not only an increased prevalence of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies in patients with breast cancer but also a significantly increased rate of goiter (diffuse 8%, nodular 50%) as compared with control individuals (4% and 26%, respectively). This finding is in agreement with previous studies [2,3] that showed both increased goiter rates and increased prevalence of thyroid enlargement by ultrasound in patients with breast cancer [4]. This association represents yet another page in the continuing saga of the perceived coincidence between breast cancer and diseases of the thyroid gland. The fact that both breast cancer and thyroid disease predominantly affect females and that both have a postmenopausal peak incidence has inevitably resulted in a search for an association between the two diseases [5,6]. Although many studies have shown such an association, evidence of specific causal linkage between thyroid breast cancer and thyroid disease continues to be elusive."

The link is between thyroid disease and breast cancer so it would be easy to find a subset of people with thyroid disease that are taking thyroid medication and incorrectly correlate

that with breast cancer, which is what I believe that paper did, the JAMA study. That is poor science and Diogenes pointed out other reasons it is lacking. PR

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to PR4NOW

Yes, they interpreted it in the way that suited them best!

Thank you, PR.

PR4NOW profile image
PR4NOW in reply to greygoose

Grey, it is hard to determine the intent of the authors, it is just sloppy science at best. There is way too much of that in medicine. PR

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to PR4NOW

Agreed!

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