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Thyroid treatment no 'quick fix' for weight loss in children
January 04, 2008Children treated for hypothyroidism aren't likely to drop pounds with treatment for the condition says a new study in the Journal of Pediatrics. The study is the first to examine the link between hypothyroidism treatment and weight loss in pediatric patients.
"Parents of overweight children often desire a 'quick fix' for the problem and request thyroid tests, but, unfortunately, screening for hypothyroidism is not the answer," said the study's lead author, Dr. Jefferson P. Lomenick, an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics' Division of Pediatric Endocrinology. "Most experts agree thyroid function tests are generally unnecessary in an overweight child if he/she has normal linear growth and no other symptoms of hypothyroidism. The results of our study support this."
The study followed 68 children with acquired hypothyroidism treated in the pediatric endocrinology clinic at Kentucky Children's Hospital from 1995 to 2006. Most of the subjects had severe cases of hypothyroidism. Researchers found treatment with levo-thyroxine, which normalized the children's thyroid levels, did not lower weight or BMI from baseline to any time point measured, either short-term or long-term.
"These findings were true for the group as a whole, as well as those children who were overweight," Lomenick said. "In fact, the entire group of 68 subjects actually gained 2.4 pounds by the first follow up visit despite their treatment. We did find that about a third of the children experienced weight loss by the second visit. However, these subjects had extremely severe cases of hypothyroidism, far worse than the children who did not lose weight, and they didn't lose that much, only about five pounds."
Lomenick said he is not surprised by these findings. "Although this is the first study in children to address this issue, there have been a few reports in adults which show similar results."
Although hypothyroidism is commonly believed to cause weight gain, Lomenick said the disease has been given a bad reputation.
"Long-standing hypothyroidism causes accumulation of a proteinaceous fluid in the subcutaneous tissues called myxedema," said Lomenick. "The amount of adipose, or fatty tissue, is not really altered with hypothyroidism. Replacement of thyroid hormone causes this fluid, which only amounts to a few pounds, to dissipate over a few weeks. Most cases of hypothyroidism are actually discovered long before myxedema even develops, which is why the majority of people experience little, if any, weight loss after treatment. The effect of hypothyroidism on weight has been vastly blown out of proportion to reality."
University of Kentucky
"These findings were true for the group as a whole, as well as those children who were overweight," Lomenick said. "In fact, the entire group of 68 subjects actually gained 2.4 pounds by the first follow up visit despite their treatment. We did find that about a third of the children experienced weight loss by the second visit. However, these subjects had extremely severe cases of hypothyroidism, far worse than the children who did not lose weight, and they didn't lose that much, only about five pounds."
Lomenick said he is not surprised by these findings. "Although this is the first study in children to address this issue, there have been a few reports in adults which show similar results."
Although hypothyroidism is commonly believed to cause weight gain, Lomenick said the disease has been given a bad reputation.
"Long-standing hypothyroidism causes accumulation of a proteinaceous fluid in the subcutaneous tissues called myxedema," said Lomenick. "The amount of adipose, or fatty tissue, is not really altered with hypothyroidism. Replacement of thyroid hormone causes this fluid, which only amounts to a few pounds, to dissipate over a few weeks. Most cases of hypothyroidism are actually discovered long before myxedema even develops, which is why the majority of people experience little, if any, weight loss after treatment. The effect of hypothyroidism on weight has been vastly blown out of proportion to reality."
University of Kentucky
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Hypothyroidism Current Events and Hypothyroidism News RSSConcern over inappropriate diagnosis and treatment of thyroid problems
More and more people are being inappropriately diagnosed and treated for underactivity of the thyroid gland (known as primary hypothyroidism), warn doctors in an editorial published on bmj.com today.
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The thyroid gland has an important role in determining how much energy the body burns. Thyroid gland functions are regulated by a hormone known as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
Conception date affects baby's future academic achievement
Does the time of year in which a child is conceived influence future academic achievement? Yes, according to research by neonatologist Paul Winchester, M.D., Indiana University School of Medicine professor of clinical pediatrics. Dr. Winchester, who studied 1,667,391 Indiana students, presents his finding on May 7 at the Pediatric Academic Societies' annual meeting.
Tiny molecule controls stress-induced heart disease
A tiny snippet of RNA, a chemical cousin of DNA, controls damage to the heart under several types of stress, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.
A new pharmaceutical drug that halts progress of metastatic kidney cancer
Research has shown the efficacy of a pharmaceutical drug known as sunitinib which halts progress of metastatic kidney cancer.
UI Study Reveals Value of Schizophrenia-Related Gene Variation
University of Iowa researchers have learned more about a genetic variation that is a small risk factor for a mild form of schizophrenia, yet also is associated with improved overall survival.
Calorie restriction appears better than exercise at slowing primary aging
Investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that eating a low-calorie yet nutritionally balanced diet lowers concentrations of a thyroid hormone called triiodothyronine (T3), which controls the body's energy balance and cellular metabolism.
Study reports newborn screening tests can save both lives and money
In a new study, conducted for the federal government and published in a supplement to the May issue of the journal Pediatrics, Stephen M. Downs, M.D. and Aaron E. Carroll, M.D., of the Indiana University School of Medicine, recommend a national uniform panel of newborn screening tests which they found to be cost saving as well as life saving.
Birth defects: 8 million annually worldwide
Every year an estimated 8 million children - about 6 percent of total births worldwide - are born with a serious birth defect of genetic or partially genetic origin, according to a new report from the March of Dimes.
New drug lets thyroid cancer patients avoid nasty side effects during treatment
A multicenter international study, including Johns Hopkins, has found that after surgery for thyroid cancer, giving genetically engineered human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) before radioiodine treatment avoids the previous need to stop thyroid replacement therapy and the miserable side effects that go with it.
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