Thyrotoxicosis is a condition where there is too much thyroid hormone in the body, and new research from Johns Hopkins Medicine has found that it could lead to an increased risk of cognitive disorders in older adults.
This study highlights the potential dangers of both types of thyrotoxicosis: exogenous, which comes from taking thyroid medication, and endogenous, which is caused by thyroid disorders like hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease.
The thyroid hormone is essential for regulating many body functions, such as metabolism. But when there’s too much of this hormone, it can cause health problems, including effects on the brain.
Earlier studies hinted at a link between excess thyroid hormone and cognitive problems, but the evidence wasn’t strong, and many studies didn’t consider the effects of taking thyroid medication.
To fill these gaps, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine carried out a detailed study. They looked at the health records of 65,931 people aged 65 and older who received primary care through the Johns Hopkins Health System between 2014 and 2023.
The average age of participants at their first recorded visit was 71 years, and all had at least two visits, with at least 30 days between them.
The study found that people with thyrotoxicosis, whether from internal causes like hyperthyroidism or from taking thyroid medication, were 39% more likely to be diagnosed with a cognitive disorder compared to those without thyrotoxicosis.
By the age of 75, about 11% of those with thyrotoxicosis had been diagnosed with a cognitive disorder, compared to 6.4% of those without the condition.
The difference became even more significant by the age of 85, with 34% of thyrotoxicosis patients diagnosed with a cognitive disorder, compared to 26% of those without thyrotoxicosis.
The study also found that the risk of cognitive disorders increased with the level of thyroid hormone exposure in patients taking thyroid medication.
Those with the highest levels of excess thyroid hormone had a 65% higher risk of developing cognitive problems, while those with moderate excess had a 23% higher risk.
These findings suggest that too much thyroid hormone, particularly from thyroid hormone therapy, can raise the risk of cognitive decline in older adults. Because of this, doctors should be careful when prescribing thyroid hormone therapy to older patients.
It’s important to avoid giving too much of the hormone, which can lead to overtreatment. Adjusting treatment plans based on the patient’s age and specific needs could help reduce this risk and improve their overall health.
In conclusion, this study brings attention to the importance of carefully managing thyroid hormone levels in older adults to prevent potential cognitive problems. It also offers valuable insights for healthcare providers in treating thyroid-related conditions.
More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between thyroid hormone levels and cognitive health and to develop better treatment strategies.
For those concerned about blood pressure, there are studies suggesting that certain habits could increase the risk of high blood pressure. People with severe high blood pressure may benefit from reducing their coffee intake.
Additionally, recent research indicates that early time-restricted eating and plant-based foods might help improve blood pressure.
The findings of this study are published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and blood pressure problem at night may increase Alzheimer’s risk.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and epilepsy drug may help treat Alzheimer’s disease.
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