Hashimoto. Voice Project

[lynmynott]

You may remember the Hashimoto Heart project last year which was successful in helping Hashimoto's patients. They have asked us to tell you about their very interesting new project:

"Hashimoto.Help, located a Brightlands Health Campus, The Netherlands, now wants to test the idea that autoimmune disease, in particular Hashimoto's thyroiditis, can be early detected via voice.

The human voice is intricately linked with the endocrine system of the people. The science provides considerable evidence on the effect of the hormones on voice. Thyroid hormone receptors have been identified in the laryngeal tissue and the thyroid hormone plays an important role in the development of the larynx. Patients with autoimmune disease have increased likelihood of voice symptoms when compared with a control population with non-autoimmune disease.

The aim of the Hashimoto.Voice project is threefold:

•Increase awareness of Hashimoto's disease by informing high risk groups online (prevalence, risk groups, symptoms, diagnosis, complications and treatment).

•Offer an easy online diagnosis tool for self-detection of thyroid disorder, in order to reduce misdiagnosis and late diagnosis.

•Shorten the time-frame that people suffer from symptoms and/or think they could be suffering from thyroid disorder until they get confirmed diagnosis, by auto generated test reports with information for the health professionals

For our study we need samples of native English speaking individuals.

What do you need to do to support Hashimoto.Voice project?

Share just 10-15 minutes of your time which can make a difference.

Go to hashimoto.help/hashimotos-v... and follow the steps:

• read loud a small piece of text which is provided online and record;

• indicate if you are: 1) a healthy individual (no autoimmune disease, no thyroid disease), 2) have some non-specific symptoms (e.g. subclinical Hashimoto’s), or 3) diagnosed with Hashimoto thyroiditis;

• upload the audio file online as a contribution to the project or send via email to: [e-mail]

If you send us the sample by email, along with your bank details, as a thank you, 15 euros will be transferred to your PayPal or bank account.

If you upload your audio sample online, we’ll not be able to identify you in order to transfer the 15 euros so we will need your email address and bank details in order to make a transfer.

You may decide to make the audio files yourself and send them to us. If you prefer, you can donate the the money to Thyroid UK for the wonderful it is doing.

For those who want to send the audio file via email, read the following text aloud and record. Send your audio file to [e-mail]

Who’s more important?

A very long time ago, all the parts of the body decided to get together and have a little meeting. They wanted to decide once and for all, which body part was more important.

The eyes were the first to speak. They said, “We see everything. We know what’s coming. Without us, you’d be wandering through life without seeing the beauty all around.

The ears jumped in and said, “That’s crazy, we’re so much more important than you. Without us, you’d never be able to hear music or the sound of a baby crying.

Then the mouth started to speak, and it said, “You’re both wrong. Everything comes through my door. Without me, you’d never be able to eat or drink.

The nose was quiet up to this point, listening to what the other body parts had to say. Finally it jumped in and said, “ Have you ever smelled a rose in full bloom? Or the incredible scent of freshly baked cookies? Clearly, I’m way more important than all of you.

The body parts went on and on like this all day and night until they were absolutely exhausted and had nothing left to say.

Then finally they heard a voice that was both soft like a whisper, and loud like thunder. It was the heart speaking. It said, “My dear brothers and sisters, we are all family, all equal, all important. The body parts knew that the heart was telling the truth, they were filled with joy and peace, and they never argued again.

Please, indicate in your email one of the following:

1) I am a healthy individual (no autoimmune disease, no thyroid disease)

2) I am suffering with some non-specific symptoms but haven’t been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s (e.g. subclinical Hashimoto’s)

3) I am diagnosed with Hashimoto thyroiditis

Thank you for your support!"

[UrsaP]

I suspect they are right that thyroid does affect voice.

Shame they don't have a category,' I have hypothyroidism but not sure if Hashimoto's or not. '

I have had antibodies, back in 1982, but cannot find what sort. And cannot find antibodies noted since. All very odd.

I have had intermittent issues with problems like tonsillitis and laryngitis like symptoms, but was not laryngitis, never really diagnosed. In the end inhalers seem to help? I suspect a sister is hypo, like me fluctuates between high and low energy levels. She has always had a deep gravelly voice. Might ask her if she will do this. As a supposedly healthy individual. She ignores me when I suggest she needs to get her thyroid tested.

[Pamela0106]

I did the Hashimoto’s Heart study and was asked to contribute a voice recording with this passage read aloud already. Was more than happy to do it. Hoping they found it if a quality they could use in the study! It doesn’t take long at all - would urge anyone willing to go for it! x

[Mikiviki]

As a passionate singer I had the misfortune to find that in my late 50’s my voice went weird. Difficult to control and it also felt as though mucus was ever present. I saw so many specialists with no real diagnosis so I presume it is a thyroid issue. I have Hashimoto’s since I was 48 although I suspect I had it longer than that. I still sing but it is ever more difficult and unsatisfactory ( for me )

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK in reply to Mikiviki]

After my thyroidectomy I found I couldn't sing very well. I now get the mucus issue too. I've been thinking about giving up dairy but I keep putting if off - I do love cow's milk, cream, cheese etc.

[sunnyside7]

Hello: could you feed back to the researchers somefeedback about the survey:

1. They don’t appear to have any ethical statement or information about what will be done with the info, the resulrs or who they actually are.

2. They don’t ask for any demographic information.

3. At the end of the survey they suggest a choice of 3 rewards, 2 are half price deals on what appear to be their own products and one is a consultation with one of their (?) doctors.

Therefore although this may be really important research and their motives totally alturistic, it comes accross as a bit dodgy/unprofessional/actually a bit of marketing!!!

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK in reply to sunnyside7]

I'll pass it on for you.

[NWA6]

I’m under medicated atm and my voice is soooo croaky. Happens to me every.single.time! When I raise my meds my voice gets better 😀

[ZippyAppletush]

Hi Lyn

Lifelong hypothyroidism, no Hashimotos. Voice so deep/hoarse/rough sometimes that I get called ‘Mr’ over the phone! Definitely a Mrs, I promise! (Had some ‘funny phone calls’ I can tell you! 😂)

People accuse me of being a smoker too, because of my voice/cough, even though I have never smoked.

Undertreated I developed Laryngospasms. Not good!

Would it be worth contributing my voice even though I don’t fit a category as listed?

Cheers

Zippy