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Is Dust Dangerous for Thyroid?

Posted on: Wednesday, 14 May 2008, 03:00 CDT

There's an epidemic of thyroid disease in the U.S., and no one seems to know quite why. It has been quietly growing for years.

Just check the number of prescriptions filled for thyroid medicine and you'll realize that there is something strange going on. Synthroid is the fifth most prescribed drug in America, with 25 million bottles dispensed last year. When you add in generic levothyroxine plus products such as Armour Thyroid, Levothroid and Levoxyl, the total comes to nearly 90 million.

The experts don't have good answers, but house dust is one possible culprit. The dust itself is not the problem. But chemicals carried on dust may be partly to blame.

Dustborne compounds called PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) have been used for years as fire retardants. They can be found in mattresses, carpets, couches, computers, TVs and cellphones.

Although it seemed like a good idea to protect flammable furniture such as couches and mattresses, scientists didn't anticipate that fire-retardant chemicals would end up in us. But Americans have levels of PBDEs in their bodies that are seven to 35 times higher than those in Europeans (Environmental Health Perspectives, May 2008).

Adults with an underactive thyroid gland may experience symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, dry skin, lower libido, depression, brittle nails and elevated cholesterol. Worse, even mild hypothyroidism may increase the risk of fatal heart disease (Archives of Internal Medicine, April 28, 2008).

Diagnosing and treating thyroid problems can be complicated. Our Guide to Thyroid Hormones has information about interpreting tests, selecting treatments and checking drugs that can affect thyroid function. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (59 cents), self- addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. T-4, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q: I started taking Chantix and was surprised how quickly it cut my smoking in half. I continued with the Chantix until I finally quit.

Depression was slowly creeping up on me, but nothing prepared me for what happened. One day, I woke up feeling as if I'd never be happy again. I have never felt such despair in my life.

I have found it almost impossible to get help. I went to a mental- health facility, but they could do nothing unless I was suicidal and committed myself to their locked facility.

They sent me to the emergency room, but all I could get was a mild anti-anxiety drug. Finally, the cardiologist who prescribed the Chantix called in an antidepressant. I hope it helps.

A: Many people find that Chantix is very helpful in quitting smoking, but the Food and Drug Administration notes that some report the drug can trigger depression, thoughts of suicide or bizarre behavior. Some people suffer from withdrawal symptoms, including depression, when they stop taking the medication. We hope the antidepressant is working.

Q: I take lisinopril for high blood pressure and occasionally have a cough that cough syrup can't touch. My doctor told me that his patients have had amazing success with benzonatate to address this issue. It works for me, too!

A: Thanks for the tip. Benzonatate (Tessalon) is not appropriate for anyone allergic to local anesthetics such as procaine (Novocain).

An iron supplement also may help with this kind of cough (Hypertension, August 2001). Switching to another kind of blood pressure medication may solve the problem as well.

Source: Roanoke Times & World News

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