TSH (Thyroid) Values and link to miscarriages, breech birth and mortality

[Soror]

http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2010/07/thyroid-more-evidence-that-%E2%80%9Cnormal%E2%80%9D-is-unhealthy/#comments

 

 

I know thyroid stuff has been brought up a lot here, this article gives a good chunk of info from various studies about why "normal" TSH in America isn't so good. 

Edited April 3, 2016 by soror

[Soror]

Bump- Important info as the thyroid is often under(un)treated in the US especially. Even if they just treat the TSH(which is actually produced by the pituitary) there are health benefits.  This doesn't even discuss the risk of heart disease from elevated TSH. Here is a sampling of the info----

 

 

The best research has been conducted in Europe:

• The HUNT study of 25,000 healthy Norwegians found that their prospects were substantially affected by thyroid function. Those with a TSH level of 1.5 to 2.4 were 41% more likely to die over the next 8 years than those with TSH below 1.5; those with TSH 2.5-3.4 were 69% more likely to die. [1]
• An Italian study showed that pregnant women with TSH between 2.5 and 5.0 had a miscarriage rate 70% higher than women with TSH below 2.5. [2]

Now, a Dutch study shows that the likelihood of breech birth rises monotonically with the mother’s TSH levels at gestational week 36. [3] Breech birth is a significant hazard:  it commonly requires a Caesarean section delivery, and both mother and infant are more likely to die or otherwise suffer damaged health if the baby presents in the breech position. The Dutch study found that:

• Pregnant women with a TSH of 0.5 or less had NO breech births at all, and those between 0.51 and 0.71 had only a 1% chance of a breech birth.
• Pregnant women with a TSH between 0.71 and 2.49 had about a 5% chance of breech birth.
• Pregnant women with TSH of 2.50 to 2.89 had an 11% chance of breech birth, while those with TSH above 2.89 had a 14% chance of breech birth.

 

Edited April 4, 2016 by soror

[Sandragood1]

Ok, I haven't read the studies but it seems like a correlation and not causation relationship.

 

Did the study include people being supplemented? Or only natural thyroid levels?

 

I do supplement enough to be in the "best" level per this paper but my family doctor has a fit about how much thyroid I take.

 

It makes a huge difference.

[Soror]

There are links to the studies in the article.

 

I do know hypothyroidism cause an increase in cholesterol numbers- increasing risk for coronary disease. I was wondering this am by what mechanism TSH could effect breech birth, I find that very curious. I've had 3 births with less than optimal positioning, although not breech, which makes me wonder if it is related. On the miscarriage risk it is a well known association with hypothyroidism.

[Laurie4b]

Thanks for posting. It's good information to be aware of.

[JumpyTheFrog]

Interesting info. Thanks.