What is the life expectancy of someone with hypothyroidism

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A less active thyroid may mean more years added to your life, hints a new Dutch study.

Índice Show

Does hypothyroidism affect lifespan?
Does hypothyroidism worsen with age?
Can hypothyroidism cause sudden death?
What is the prognosis for a person living with hypothyroidism?

However, the researchers emphasize that the finding, which builds on prior evidence touting the possible link, still does not prove that decreased thyroid function is the fountain of youth -- it may just be related to something else that is.

“In an earlier study, we observed that middle-aged children of long-lived siblings have lower thyroid function compared to controls from the general population,” Diana van Heemst of Leiden University Medical Center, in the Netherlands, told Reuters Health in an email.

“In the current study, we sought to assess whether in the generation of the long-lived siblings low thyroid function was related to enhanced survival of the parents of the siblings as well,” she said.

The researchers studied 859 siblings from 421 long-lived families. As reported in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, their average age of 93 years old far exceeded current U.S. life expectancy of about 78 years.

After rating the longevity of these siblings’ parents, the team analyzed the thyroid hormones in the siblings’ blood. The two sets of values appeared to be strongly linked, supporting previous findings of heritability in decreased thyroid functioning and its relationship to long life, they say.

This result held up even after accounting for critical illness, which can also affect thyroid activity.

From its location in the neck, the thyroid secretes hormones that affect metabolism. The researchers suggest that the lower activity of thyroid hormones could shift the body’s energy expenditure away from growth and proliferation in favor of protective maintenance, keeping the body healthier longer. However, other factors could be associated with both thyroid function and longevity, removing credit from the thyroid.

“These results may come as (a) surprise as low thyroid function is commonly regarded as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease,” said van Heemst. “The prevailing recommendation therefore is to treat elderly with low thyroid function with hormone supplementation.”

But it is still too early to say whether this practice cheats the elderly of some extra years.

“These data underpin the need for a dedicated clinical trial to test whether treating (mild decreases in thyroid function) with thyroid hormone supplementation is effective in the elderly,” van Heemst said.

SOURCE: link.reuters.com/weq78n The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, online August 25, 2010.

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If you or someone you love suffers from under active thyroid problems, you may be concerned about the long-term health impacts of the condition or whether their life expectancy will be cut short.

What is Hypothyroidism?
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in your neck that produces hormones your body needs to function properly. Even though it is small, it is a vital organ in your body. It is responsible for regulating growth, development, and metabolism. The hormones it produces travel through your bloodstream, reaching every cell in your body.

When the thyroid is not working the way it should, it can cause cascading effects throughout the body. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid isn’t producing enough of the thyroid hormones. There is no way to prevent thyroid disorders, but they do seem to happen more often to people with a family history of thyroid problems. It also occurs more frequently in women than in men.

Longer-Term Implications of Hypothyroidism
When the body isn’t producing enough thyroid hormones, multiple systems in the body slow down and this can have several adverse health effects. Some people develop complications quickly, while others find their symptoms progressively become worse over time.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:

Fatigue
Lowered heart rate
Feeling cold
Depression
Memory problems
Hair loss
High cholesterol
Muscle and joint pain/stiffness/weakness

Complications of Hypothyroidism:

Infertility
Obesity
Goitres‍
Coma
Heart disease

If you are pregnant while suffering from hypothyroidism, there is an increased chance that you will pass on birth defects or other problems to the baby. Studies have shown that babies born to mothers with hypothyroidism have a lower birth weight, are often born premature, and may have developmental problems.

How is Hypothyroidism Treated?
With treatment, life expectancy with hypothyroidism should be relatively normal. Hypothyroidism is usually treated with medications containing synthetic versions of the thyroid hormone, such as Levothyroxine tablets. These tablets help balance hormone levels and often start to work quickly in reversing the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

To buy under active thyroid treatment, visit Pharmacy Planet. We sell Levothyroxine tablets online in the UK at great prices with swift delivery.

Does hypothyroidism affect lifespan?

CONCLUSION: Individuals with low-normal thyroid function live up to 3.5 years longer overall and up to 3.1 years longer without CVD than participants with high-normal thyroid function.

Does hypothyroidism worsen with age?

Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid condition in patients over 60 years of age and steadily increases with age.

Can hypothyroidism cause sudden death?

Myxedema coma, which occurs due to hypothyroidism, is a rare and life-threatening condition. Some patients have hemodynamic dysfunction, which consequently leads to cardiac arrest.

What is the prognosis for a person living with hypothyroidism?

For those with particularly low levels of thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism is a life-long condition that will need to be controlled with medication on a regular schedule. It can be controlled very well and you can live a normal life with hypothyroidism.