Colonoscopy-->Thyroid Disorders

[designsbymikayla]

I am doing a research project, and have found that some of my subjects had routine colonoscopies (spelling?) and soon thereafter, developed thyroid conditions.  Is there a known relation between these things?  I would be helped much by your response, as you will be credited for any information you provide and it will aid me in my studies.  Thank you.

[Thypatient]

I do suspect that, but I also suspect a whole lot of things.  Again, I still believe heredity was an underlining factor.

Glad to hear you respond that you are not worrying  I had a friend who worried herself into a lot fear after her sister got breast cancer.  I do think, though, that if this kind of knowledge triggers us to to better take care of our health, it's a good thing.  My friend didn't smoke again after her sister's experience.

The only invasive surgery I ever had was a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy.  That happened when I was older and they were in pretty bad shape.  I'm not sure how invasive or major that one is considered though.

Utahmomma - Thanks for the interesting link.  It gives me a lot to ponder (and God knows my head is good at that).  The litany of your family's experience with this disease is utterly astounding!

[tiredforever]

I have had a few colonoscopies (1 a misdiagnoses for crohns disease) the last very close to my Thyroid diagnosis.    It is possible that people get a coincidental diagnoses as their doctors are testing for a number of things at once I think.  I had IBS symptoms for 15+ years, but in the end being gluten intolerance & inability to digest protein (thyroid symptom).   It is possible some thyroid sufferers have digestive problems which get investigated close in time to their thyroid so I think more likely to be coincedental.

[utahmomma]

I have had multiple invasive surgeries and have thyroid cancer.
Sister #2 has never had invasive surgery and has thyroid cancer.
Sister #3 has never had invasive surgery and has thyroid cancer.
Sister #4 has had 1 invasive surgery and does not have thyroid cancer (but had "pre-cancerous" cells)
Sister #5 had 1 invasive surgery and had Stage II thyroid cancer with two recurrences.
Daughter had 2 invasive surgeries and did not have thyroid cancer (but had "pre-cancerous cells)

All of the above except me also had thyroid antibodies (Hashimoto's)

[redhed87]

Never had a colonoscopy, but had thyroid cancer..................

[designsbymikayla]

Another ?: I have also found that persns that have undergone multiple invasive surgeries, have developed or have worsened thyroid problems.  Does anyone have any ideas?

[designsbymikayla]

Thank you, that web link was very helpful!  : )

[utahmomma]

I'm not sure where you live but here is a link to the U.S. government's thyroid cancer statistics:  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/thyroid

If you drill down you can find statistics by state and, in some cases, by county.   I'm in one of the top #5 areas for thyroid cancer thanks to fallout from nuclear testing in the 50s in the Nevada desert.  Funny thing is my generation is too young to have been exposed to the test fallout - now they are wondering if it got into the ground water, soil (agriculture, milk production, etc.) or if it caused genetic mutations.

Fun, eh?

[designsbymikayla]

So you have suspicions that the atomic activity you were exposed to may have caused a mutation or change that affects you today? (just trying to clarify)

[designsbymikayla]

It is not that I am worrying about what I may have when I am older, it is simply that my instructors/teachers suggested I include the information to give my research a more rounded appearance.

[Thypatient]

Thanks for sharing that.

I think my thyroid issues were brewing before the time I had had a colonoscopy.  

Actually, I think heredity left me more vulnerable to other factors.  That included living not all that far from an atomic lab.  A place that produced all the hits and a place that produced all the misses (Albert Einstein worked there).  It's the 'misses' part that really makes me wonder.

My past relatives on one side had this disease; my past relatives on the other side had colon disease - they all lived in a different country.

Good luck.

[AR-10]

The onset of thyroid disease is normally very slow. The fact that a few people were diagnosed with thyroid problems a few DAYS after a colonoscopy is coincidental.

If you were looking for a link between anesthesia and thyroid conditions, you would have to cast a much broader net. While that may be worth persuing, it would take a study of thousands of thyroid patients and a very extensive questionaire to come up with any usable data.

Speaking to you as I would my own child, I have to say, quit worrying about what disease you may get thirty years from now and enjoy your good health.

[designsbymikayla]

I am a high school student and am doing a research project that has spanned over the last three years.  Several years ago, both of my parents were diagnosed with thyroidism (hypothyroid: hoshimoto's).  My research the past two years involved the disorders themselves and the related symptoms.  This year, as I have researched more, I decided to obtain personal accounts of experiences with thyroid problems, treatments, testing, and analyze relationships between other problems or prodecures and the development of thyroid related problems.  I am also studying the possibility that I will develop a thyroid disorder due to heredity.
I was curious as to whether anyone had discovered a relationnship between the prodecure of a colonoscopy and the development of thyroidism because several of my subjects explained that only a few days after having a routine colonoscopy, they developed thyroid related symptoms and were diagnosed positive.
Any information you have is welcome, and appreciated.   Thank you.

[Thypatient]

Please give some background.  What are you doing research for?

[utahmomma]

Interesting way to correlate "both ends"  :-)

I've had IBS since I was a teenager and had my first colonoscopy when I was 18.  Have had about 4-5 since then (now 41).  Since my TT (cancerous) and correct levels of my thyroid replacement meds my IBS has resolved itself.

Could there me more correlation between age?  People in their late 30s+ tend to find thyroid problems and many begin to have colonoscopies when they are 40+

By the way, I have 4 sisters.  None have had colonoscopies but all have had TTs (three for cancer and the other with precancer)

[Venora Moonwind]

Well I dont know about that connection but there is a definate connection between IBS and thyroid malfunction. I had IBS for 30 years(D) pain , bloating and nausea. then after I got my thyroid out... no IBS no pain only a little D now and thne but no pain.I am now loosing weightsince I have the right med dose. No  more bloating and nausea. I would be curious to hear from others with IBS and a TT
Love Venora

[designsbymikayla]

Any information you have is welcome, whether it is simply relevent or an exact answer.  So, please, share any information you have that would help me in my studies.

[Justin1967]

Do you mean colonic irrigation or colonic? If so I had a colonic a couple of months ago before I had thyroid surgery, so maybe there is a link.. I felt quite light heady and drained after after my colonic..