just seen this posted elsewhere- Alzheimer’s and hypo link

[lisabax]

alzheimersresearchuk.org/th...

since my mother and brother were both hypo and had dementia, it is something I’ve long been concerned about. Does anyone know if any other research?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

The link finds this statement (taken from the page):

This study used data from a large group of people from Taiwan and found that an underactive thyroid can increase a person’s risk of developing dementia up to 81%. The study did not look at the reasons for this high correlation and future studies should investigate this further.

The wording appears to imply that the underactive thyroid is the cause of the increased risk. But then says they did not look for the reasons!

What if the early stages of dementia (when there is no effect on anything else) is a cause of hypothyroidism?

Not much by way of reassurance, I'll admit.

You might find something of interest here:

europepmc.org/search?query=...

I have not read any of the papers that were found.

[Cornwaller in reply to helvella]

An important truth in all sciences is that association is not causation.

So, an example, increased consumption of organic foods has over the last 20 years been associated with a similar increase in smart phone use, or autism or.... whilst these associations exist they are coincidental and there is almost certainly no causation.

So the data showing association between hypothyroidism and alzheimers might be coincidental or there maybe a real biological cause for the association: it is certainly plausible. Increased research to explore the association is warranted and it would be a sensible precaution to redouble the effort, or lack of it, to control hypothyroidism optimally rather than minimally.

[buggles84]

My nan had thyroid problems....graves then hypo.....she eventually passed away from dementia.

[limonene7]

My Nan was hypo, she was still sharp as a whip when she died. Her sister also hypo, still sharp as...shes currently 98. There's a lot more to it than just being hypo although lack of T3 through poor levo conversion probably won't help the cause. The study referred to multiple health conditions being associated with alzheimer's. Theres genes and there's environmental triggers. Every single disease I have ever looked up goes hand in hand with gut dysbiosis and more and more studies are pointing to this being the catalyst. Dietary interventions have shown promise for alzheimer's in studies. Gut health is something we can all work on improving which is great news!🙂