Study identifies genes that control thyroid levels
Researchers at the University of Western Australia's School of Medicine and Pharmacology have identified sequence variations in DNA that affect personal levels of thyroid hormones.
Research team member, Adjunct Associate Professor Scott Wilson, said that, personalized genomic medicine could be around the corner, since one in every four patients examined had genetic variations.
"This would allow us to identify individuals who are most at risk of thyroid-related disease," he said.
The thyroid gland is one the largest endocrine glands in the body, and is responsible for having effects on almost every tissue of the body. It affects the basal metabolic rate, the protein synthesis, and fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
I believe that this discovery will be able to help scientists and physicians understand thyroid related diseases, like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, more thoroughly. Their better understanding means that they'll be able to come up with medicine and treatments which will be comforting to the patient in more ways than ever thought possible.
This artical caught my eye beacause I have a friend who has hyperthyroidism, due to which she is very very skinny. Most people would like to be skinny, but she does not, well not that much. She is now taking medicine in order to gain some weight. I hope this discovery leads to the formation of better treatments that are comforting for individuals with thyroid problems. Hypothyroidism is also a problem as it increases the weight of the body, which can cause many problems for that specific individual. It can cause more health problems and obesity. Hoopefully, with this research, the gene- variation can be altered at a young age so that the risk of having thyroid- related diseases can be eliminated from the start.
ReplyDeletelife is dificult for people with thyroid problems because of its effect on most of the tissues. I know a few people who have had problems due to some kind abnormality in the thyroid glands. i hope the research helps in development of better treatments.
ReplyDeleteHyperthyroidism is an awful, and often overlooked disease. It affects the way people who have it live their every day life. They have to constantly worry about what they eat, and even then, it still may not help. It can cause other problems as well. Hypothyroidism is also a terrible disease that impacts the way people who have it live. There are treatments, but sometimes they don't work. Hopefully this research will help diagnose and treat predisposed individuals at an earlier age, and possibly eliminate it all together.
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