Health Chats
Thyroid Disorders: When Your Thyroid Malfunctions
Wednesday Jul 28, 2010, 07:30PM - 08:30PM (EST)
97953?1440865392
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
, Sarasota, FL
Thyroid disorders affect an estimated 200 million people worldwide, and an estimated 27 million Americans. More than half remain undiagnosed. In fact, thyroid disease is more common than diabetes or heart disease. Untreated thyroid disease may lead to elevated cholesterol levels and subsequent heart disease, as well as infertility and osteoporosis. Research also indicates a strong genetic link between thyroid disease and other autoimmune diseases, including certain types of diabetes, arthritis, and anemia. Come join Dr. Lupo in an hour long chat discussing thyroid cancer, Grave's Disease, Hashimoto's, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and other thyroid diseases, symptoms, medications and treatments, including thyroid surgery, Radioactive Iodine treatment (RAI), fine needle aspiration (FNA) and thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH).<br/><br/> Mark A. Lupo, M.D. is board-certified in Endocrinology and Internal Medicine and has a subspecialty focus in thyroid and parathyroid disorders. Dr. Lupo is currently Secretary of the Academy of Clinical Thyroidologists and was President of the group from 2008-2009, member of the American Thyroid Association (ATA), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist (AACE), AACE Nuclear Medicine Task Force, ATA Programming Committee, Endocrine Society, Florida Medical Association, and American Mensa Society. Dr. Lupo serves as the moderator for the patient-oriented Medhelp International Thyroid Disorders forum.
MLupoMD:
With hyperthyroidism there is often a huge increase in metabolism that is inappropriate -- this causes weight loss.  Correcting this causes weight gain due to normalizing the thyroid levels.  But if you became hypo,it can be a significant change in metabolism....keeping levels normal is the best advice.
MedHelp:
Dr. Lupo has time for one last question.
jldyer4769:
I am newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism.....it was only functioning at 86 when it was caught by my heart doc.  Question:  could hypothyroidism cause breathing problems?
MLupoMD:
Yes, if the TSH was this high ---- 86, then the hypothyroidism was severe which can cause heart and lung problems which would lead to shortness of breath -- correct the thyroid and then re-evaluate breathing issues if necessary.
MedHelp:
Thank you, Dr. Lupo, for taking the time to answer our members' questions today. This has been an extremely popular chat and we apologize if your question didn't get an answer. We hope to be able to bring Dr. Lupo back in the future for another chat.
MLupoMD:
It has been a pleasure doing this health chat with you all!  Keep watching the thyroid forum for continued information on thyroid health.
Thank you – Mark Lupo.