Do you want to know if there is a connection between thyroid disease and smoking? You are worried that the thyroid problem may be the result of smoking. Should you quit smoking?

Before delving into the link between thyroid disease and smoking, we should address three preliminary questions. You must ask yourself:

·What is the connection between smoking and thyroid disease?

· Does smoking worsen my thyroid disease?

• Shortly after quitting smoking, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Is this a coincidence?

Now let's ask questions and let us answer them?

There is a substance in tobacco smoke that affects the function of the thyroid gland. This component is cyanide [which is cyanide!] which is converted to thiocyanate in tobacco smoke. Thiocyanate acts as an antithyroid agent, preventing iodine uptake and thyroid hormone production in the body.

Other components of tobacco smoke can also affect the production of thyroid hormones. Coupled with research, people who smoke are more likely to develop thyroid enlargement. Goiter may be an indicator of signs of minor thyroid disorders.

Let's take a look at the contents of medical journals.

In a 1995 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, a journal article was published that pointed out that smoking is associated with this abnormality in thyroid function, which is reasonably said to have several effects on the thyroid gland.

In women with hypothyroidism, smoking reduces the effects of thyroid secretion and thyroid hormones. There is a direct link between thyroid function and smoking, which is critical to understanding.

The more you smoke in your life, the greater your risk of developing thyroid disease

A study conducted in March 2000 in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that smoking is associated with an increased risk of thyroid disease. They concluded that cumulative consumption increases the risk of autoimmune thyroid disease.

Does smoking cessation increase the chances of getting thyroid disease?

In 1996, thyroid expert Mary Shannon observed an anecdote about a user network newsgroup "alt, support.thyroid" from those diagnosed with hypothyroidism after quitting smoking. Women.

Mary Shannon quit smoking in July 1995 and was soon diagnosed with hypothyroidism. She began to wonder if there was a link between the disease and smoking. She concluded that she did not have a clear answer as to whether smoking stopped “triggering” or exposing the thyroid problem – rumored that she thought it was indeed connected.

Mary Shannon surveyed 1,000 thyroid patients, 11% of whom were diagnosed with thyroid disease three months after quitting, and 18% were diagnosed with thyroid disease within 6 months of quitting.

Her theory is that smoking/tobacco smoke/nicotine creates an artificial high metabolism that masks the fatigue/sleepiness common in hypothyroidism. When the smoker quits, the mask is removed and the overall effect of hypothyroidism on metabolism is felt.

For smokers with undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction, if you don't solve your problem, stopping smoking leads to a double blow to metabolism/weight gain. Smoking is a factor that suppresses appetite, so when you stop smoking, you want to eat more. When you quit smoking, your metabolism slows down. Nicotine accelerates metabolism, so when you quit smoking, you don't take nicotine.

Therefore, when you quit smoking, you want to eat more while slowing down your metabolism, which can increase your weight.

If I think I have a thyroid problem, should I quit smoking?

When you quit smoking, it may make you feel worse. If you do have a thyroid problem, symptoms that may have been covered by smoking will begin to appear. You may gain weight and feel very tired.

But at least you will know about health problems, you can go to the doctor and make a diagnosis. Once you know you have a problem, you can fix it and fix it. It can be as easy to change diet and lifestyle as to overcome hypothyroidism.

Smoking causes thyroid disease. Should I quit smoking now? was originally published on Spring