[Anonymous August 3, 1998 at 11:11 pm Post count: 93172]

#1148372

Wanda,
What cells are turning over rapidly in your body when you are
hyperthyroid? I don’t think thyroid cells turnover like the skin or the epithelium in the gut but I may be wrong. Even so just because cells turnover doesn’t mean that genetic mutations are more likely. Genetic mutations are more likely following environmental insults (i.e. increased chance of lung cancer in smokers and skin cancer in people who get a lot of sun) and in people who have mutations in certain types of genes designed to protect against genetic mutations but I have never read or heard of any increased risk of any kind of cancer for people with hyperthyroidism or Graves disease.
If you know something different let me know.
Geoff.

[Anonymous August 4, 1998 at 12:03 am Post count: 93172]

#1148373

Dear Wanda,

When I started taking PTU my doc said he would do a liver scan every time he saw me. He said the meds could be hard on some folks liver…He didn’t have any specific to protect the liver, but I got Silymarin (milk thistle herb) in a standardized form at the health food store, and take one of these every day. Haven’t had a liver panel out of whack. Period. I know that silymarin acts as an antioxidant and protectant of the liver. As far as the cell turnover, yes that is a good Q. Logically, one would say yes, if carcinoma only depended on how many cell deaths preceeded it…are there other factors, such as resistance to DNA strand breaking that could be enhanced, even tho the turnover is too fast….KarenB

[Anonymous August 4, 1998 at 1:41 am Post count: 93172]

#1050045

HI All
I went to the endo today and my free T4 is almost in normal range but my tsh hasnt moved at all. Also the doc increased my antithyroid meds to 60 mg a day..wow! I am taking alot of pills now!! Has anyone had problems with their liver particularly their bilirubin after meds?
I asked my doc a question today that must have been a real stumper…..
I asked him if when hyperthyroid…since the cells are turning over so quickly and doing their thing…doesnt that increase the likelihood of dna error making one a more likely candidate for carcinoma? He looked very thoughtful…scratched his head and told me he just doesnt know.
Does anyone else find this interesting?
Any thoughts on this?
Welcome back all who were lucky enough to attend the conference…we are anxious to know what you learned. I wish I could have got that question out to you before you left but could not get to this site.
regards,
Wanda

[Anonymous August 4, 1998 at 1:46 am Post count: 93172]

#1148374

Hi Geoff
I cant say that I know anything really about this. Through speculation I have wondered about it. Its true that a woman who is older than say 35 or 40 who conceives is more likely to have downs syndrome children. That is due to the number of times the cells have turned over<or ran their course> there is more likely the chance that there will be an error in the dna. If people with hyperthyroidism have a speeded up metabolism which affects every cell in their body…wouldnt those cells run their course much quicker? Wouldnt those cells turn over more quickly and might there then be an increased chance of error?
Carcinoma is by definiton dna error in which there is unimpeded cell growth by loss of contact imhibition.
I was really just wondering if this question has ran across anyone elses mind?
Speedy but thoughtful,
Wanda

[Anonymous August 4, 1998 at 1:52 am Post count: 93172]

#1148375

HI Karen
My bilirubin has been creeping up since I have started tapazole. I am assured however that all of my other liver function tests are within normal range. I had another blood test today to check my liver and it will be interesting to see if it is continuing the climb. I really dont want to be taken off the tapazole as I feel I am making progress.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Wanda

[Anonymous August 4, 1998 at 4:30 pm Post count: 93172]

#1148376

This is a good question. Are you asking about the general body or within the thyroid? I had an interesting pathology on my thyroid I had removed. I had graves, diffuse toxic goiter and it was “beefy red” throughout (considered normal) and within that it was found to have several 1-2cm tan colored tumors, not previously noted on any testing. I wonder if that was caused by the RAI, I did RAI first that failed. Or was the Graves possibly going to progress into something else, afterall it went undetected for years, I was very ill and RAI didn’t touch it dispite a generous dose. The thyroid is gone but sometimes I swear I have a phantom thyroid and I feel hyper at times.

[Anonymous August 4, 1998 at 5:10 pm Post count: 93172]

#1148377

Hi RTrex
I was wondering about the whole body. Every cell in the body does what it does much faster when hyper…therefore there must be a greater number of cells turning over.
If your thyroid is gone are you taking replacement hormones? Could be you need your dose adjusted.
I am opting for antithyroid meds at this time….I’m a little put off by the idea of RAI. I just hope my liver can take the meds.
Good luck,
Wanda

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