I have hypothyroidism. Medicine keeps it in check, but I don't think the system is ever quite 'normal' when it must run on pills. It has been difficult at times to distinguish between symptoms caused by PD and hypothyoidism. Weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps are common to both. And it is becoming widely suspected that many people with acceptable blood test results to measure for hypothyoidism actually do not produce enough thyroid, and ought to receive thyroid supplement.
It seems to me that many of the reactions to foods that are discussed here could be caused by the over or under production of the glands listed below.




* Thyroid Gland. Located in the front of the neck. Secretes thyroid hormone.
Purpose: Regulate the body's overall metabolism.


* Parathyroid Glands. There are 4 parathyroid glands located behind the thyroid. Secretes parathyroid hormone. parathyroid, parathyroid surgery, parathyroid hormone
Purpose: Absolute control over calcium levels throughout the body.


* Adrenal Glands. There are 2 adrenal glands located on the top of each kidney. Inner part secretes adrenaline, outer part secretes aldosterone and cortisol.
Purpose: Maintain salt levels in the blood, maintain blood pressure, help control kidney function, control overall fluid concentrations in the body.


* Neuroendocrine Glands of the Pancreas. Located deep in the abdomen behind the stomach, the pancreas is primarily a digestive organ. It also contains extremely important endocrine cells which secrete: insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and others.
Purpose: Control blood sugar and overall glucose metabolism, help control other endocrine cells of the digestive tract.

* Pituitary Gland. The pituitary is located at the base of the brain. Secretes thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), adrenocotropic hormone (ACTH), and others. parathyroid, parathyroid surgery, parathyroid hormone
Purpose: Control the activity of many other endocrine glands (thyroid, ovaries, adrenal, etc.).

I think there is a connection.

birte

Birte,

I also have hypothyroidism, but I wonder if it is another result of whatever caused my pd, like a toxin. I also had early menopause - all 3 in the same decade , in fact within the same 5 years. I also had both of my children within that decade, and have always wondered about a hormonal component.

Paula

I was borderline a couple of years ago, but a subsequent test two months later said I was okay. The guidelines changed a couple of years ago re: what number is considered low thyroid. They changed it, an by so doing, put millions into the low thyroid camp. My mother had it and takes a drug for it. I'm going to have mine checked again. It's more common than people realize.

I read about it a couple of years ago and remembered info on b vitamins. This is someone's personal view:

http://thyroidstory.mivox.com/node/107

Interesting--husband had thyroid cancer 24 yrs ago (still feels the cancer was due to the radioactive iodine he administered to his lab rats for experiments ) and underwent removal of one half his thyroid--he took thyroid supplements for a year or 2, but was never able to regulate the dosage (kept becoming hyper thyroid) so he stopped the supplement. since his lab tests are within normal limits, it was assumed his remaining lobe of thyroid took over for the missing one---hmmmmmm.