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Singing a tumor test song

A new technique, vocal passive elastography (V-PE), uses ultrasound imaging and singing to determine the presence of a tumor in the thyroid gland. By analyzing the speed of shear waves created by vibrations from a person's voice, researchers can measure the elasticity of surrounding tissue.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 12, 2021

How thyroid function affects stress-related heart problems

A multicentre study found a strong correlation between thyroid function and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a condition triggered by extreme emotional stress. The research identified two distinct mechanisms: an overactive thyroid gland promoting heart disease risk and an elevated target value of thyroid regulation related to the stress event.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateDec 1, 2020

Born to be young?

A new study found that prenatal exposure to maternal thyroid hormones can result in longer telomeres in chicks, making them appear younger at birth. This could have significant implications for understanding the effects of telomere length on aging and mortality risk.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalBiology Letters·DateNov 11, 2020

New method allows more targeted measurement of thyroid hormone action in tissue

Researchers have identified phosphorus-containing compounds as markers for thyroid hormone action in tissue using non-invasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This allows for the measurement of hormone action in different areas of the body, potentially improving care for patients with thyroid dysfunction.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 20, 2020

Study: Synthetic medication and desiccated thyroid equally effective to treat hypothyroidism

A study by Kaiser Permanente found no difference in TSH stability between patients taking desiccated thyroid products and those on synthetic levothyroxine, a surprising outcome given concerns about variability among batches of desiccated thyroid. This result has implications for patient-centered approach to managing hypothyroidism.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 15, 2020

Iodine exposure in the NICU may lead to decrease in thyroid function, NIH study suggests

A new NIH study found that infants exposed to iodine in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at higher risk for developing congenital hypothyroidism. Infants with this condition often require thyroid hormone therapy within four weeks of birth, and permanent intellectual disability may result if treatment is delayed.

Mild thyroid dysfunction affects one in five women with a history of miscarriage or subfertility

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that up to one in five women with a history of miscarriage or subfertility have mild thyroid dysfunction. Detecting thyroid abnormalities prior to conception may improve pregnancy outcomes for these women.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJun 17, 2020

Thyroid hormone use may raise death risk in older adults

A large study has found that thyroid hormone replacement therapy in older adults is associated with a higher risk of death compared to no treatment. The study, published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, suggests that age-specific TSH reference intervals can help determine the threshold for thyroid hormone treatment.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society·DateMar 31, 2020

Older adults with hypothyroidism face elevated risk of death

Research published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that older adults with hypothyroidism are 26% more likely to die from all causes than their peers without the condition. However, this increased risk was not observed in individuals with milder forms of thyroid disease.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateDec 12, 2019

Screening for thyroid dysfunction in people without symptoms: Don't routinely check that box

A new guideline from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends against routine screening for thyroid dysfunction in nonpregnant adults without symptoms or risk factors. The evidence suggests that this type of screening has no health benefits and may lead to unnecessary testing, medication, and follow-up appointments.

Intraoral endoscopic thyroidectomy leaves no scar

A new study compares two surgical approaches to endoscopic thyroid removal, finding no significant differences in outcomes between the oral vestibular approach and the breast approach. Both methods are safe and effective, with the oral vestibular approach offering a better cosmetic result due to its scarless nature.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques·DateOct 29, 2019

Optoacoustic imaging shows potential for noninvasive diagnostics for thyroid disorders

Researchers developed a novel noninvasive imaging technique using multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) and ultrasound to diagnose thyroid disorders. MSOT/ultrasound images revealed significant biomarker changes in Graves' disease and malignant thyroid nodules, showing promise for improved diagnostics.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateOct 22, 2019

Biomarkers confirm higher incidence of thyroid cancer among World Trade Center responders

A method developed by Brazilian and US researchers confirms a three-fold increase in thyroid cancer incidence among WTC responders compared to the general population. The four-biomarker panel distinguishes between malignant and benign tumors with no false positive results, enabling early detection and treatment.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateAug 5, 2019

Levothyroxine treatment in women with thyroid antibodies may not increase live birth rate

A large study led by the University of Birmingham found that treating women with normal thyroid function and thyroid peroxidase antibodies with Levothyroxine did not increase live-birth rates. The researchers suggested that previous recommendations to use Levothyroxine in these women may have been based on limited evidence.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 23, 2019

ThyroSeq test helps patients avoid unnecessary diagnostic thyroid surgery, study shows

A genetic test called ThyroSeq has been shown to reliably distinguish between benign and cancerous thyroid nodules using a small sample of cells. The test correctly identified cancerous nodules as positive 94% of the time and detected benign nodules as negative 82% of the time, preventing unnecessary diagnostic surgeries.

Could thyroid screening make your baby smarter?

A new review highlights growing evidence that universal thyroid testing in early pregnancy can reduce obstetric complications and safeguard fetal brain development. However, the risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment must be carefully considered to avoid unwarranted patient anxiety and potential harm.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Endocrinology·DateOct 25, 2018