RESEARCH - The thyroid-lupus relationship

[Guest guest]

Lupus Foundation of America

The Thyroid-Lupus Relationship

Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus

Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, Volume 15, Number 3, April 2009, pp. 117 – 119

What is the topic?

The thyroid gland makes hormones that act on many functions in the

body, from how quickly cells use energy to bone development and nerve

cell growth. The thyroid’s production of hormones is regulated by TSH

(thyroid-stimulating hormone), which is made in the pituitary gland.

Autoimmune thyroid disease occurs when the body makes antibodies to

thyroid cells. Different antibodies to the thyroid can have different

effects. Some can inhibit the thyroid cells, causing an underactive

thyroid (thyroiditis); others can stimulate the thyroid cells, leading

to an overactive thyroid (Graves’ disease). Many of the symptoms of

autoimmune thyroid disease -- fatigue, muscle pain and weakness,

specific antibodies -- are also symptoms of lupus. Several studies

have suggested that thyroid disease occurs more often in people with

lupus than the general population, and this study was designed to

learn more about this possibility.

What did the researchers hope to learn?

The researchers wanted to compare the rate of thyroid disease in

people with lupus patients versus healthy people, and to see whether

thyroid disease is associated with any specific types of lupus.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_research.aspx?artic\

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Not an MD