Altered thyroid function in nonthyroidal illness and surgery: to treat or not to treat?

Article Abstract:

Treating people with low levels of thyroid hormones caused by other nonthyroidal illness is not recommended. Illness, trauma, and surgery generally lead to decreases in thyroid hormones in proportion to the severity of a person's condition. Greater decreases in thyroid activity are associated with, but may not necessarily cause, a worse outcome. In a 1995 study, patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery received the hormone triiodothyronine or a placebo. The hormone injections did not appear to be harmful and may have been beneficial, but did not affect patient outcome. Lowering thyroid activity may well be one of the body's defense mechanisms and administering thyroid hormone has not been proven to be beneficial. Because thyroid hormones affect different organs and illnesses differently, elevating thyroid levels is a nonspecific way of combatting illness.

Evaluation, Hormone therapy, Thyroid hormones

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The need for more vitamin D

Article Abstract:

Many adults might benefit from taking a multivitamin supplement that contains 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D every day. Vitamin D is the precursor of the hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, which is required for bone formation and maintenance. Vitamin D can be supplied in the diet and sunlight can convert compounds in the skin into vitamin D. Several studies have found that many adults have low vitamin D levels, even those who take supplements. This is especially true in elderly people in nursing homes and hospital patients. Many supplements apparently do not contain enough vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures.

Health aspects, Prevention, Vitamin D, Vitamin D deficiency

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Insulin and the polycystic ovary syndrome

Article Abstract:

The antidiabetic drug metformin could improve symptoms in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by polycystic ovaries, elevated testosterone levels and elevated insulin levels. Insulin appears to be capable of affecting the production of testosterone by the ovary, but it is not clear how. A 1996 study found that metformin lowered insulin and testosterone levels in a group of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. This indicates that insulin is somehow involved in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Metformin, Insulin, Stein-Leventhal syndrome, Polycystic ovary syndrome

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