Latest thyroid research for physicians

More than 12% of people in the United States will develop a thyroid condition in their lifetime, according to the American Thyroid Association.

To mark Thyroid Awareness Month, Healio.com/Internal Medicine presents the latest research on the thyroid, which includes meeting news coverage and expert opinions on thyroid cancer, diagnostic testing and treatment guidelines.

Subclinical thyroid disease increased mortality risk in older adults

Risk for mortality in older adults increased with diagnoses of subclinical hypothyroidism or subclinical hyperthyroidism, according to presented study findings. Read more.

Scent-trained canine detects thyroid cancer in urine samples, could aid in diagnosis

Canines trained in scent detection could be a reliable addition to practices now used to diagnose thyroid cancer, according to research presented at The Endocrine Society annual meeting. Read more.

Thyroid cancer risk greater in survivors of breast cancer

Survivors of breast cancer are at an increased risk for thyroid cancer compared with the general population, according to presented research. Read more.

Higher TSH associated with human longevity

High total thyroid-stimulating hormone and decreased bone turnover, without changes in energy metabolism or circulating thyroid hormone levels, are typical characteristics of offspring of families who live to old age, according to presented study findings. Read more.

VIDEO: Thyroid hormone signaling may lead to new diagnostic tests

Anthony Neil Hollenberg, MD, chief of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School discusses the newest insights into thyroid hormone signaling. Watch here.

ATA updates treatment guidelines for medullary thyroid carcinoma

The American Thyroid Association released updated guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma, in the first revision of the original guidelines since 2009. Read more.

Ultrasound-guided laser ablation safe, effective for thyroid nodules

Image-guided laser ablation of solid thyroid nodules is a safe and well-tolerated procedure in most patients, resulting in a substantial nodule volume decrease and only rare adverse effects, according to presented study findings. Read more.

‘Epidemic’ of cancer diagnoses attributable to better thyroid imaging

The incidence of thyroid cancers in the United States has nearly tripled in the past 4 decades, especially among women. However, the increase can largely be attributed to detection of low-risk asymptomatic cancers, most discovered with improved imaging. Read more.

Autoimmune diabetes may be linked to thyroid dysfunction

Researchers have identified robust, gender-neutral associations between autoimmune diabetes and an increased prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and the presence of thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Read more.

Maternal obesity affects thyroid hormones in offspring

Maternal alterations in thyroid hormone as well as neonatal changes are associated with maternal obesity, according to findings published in Clinical Endocrinology. Read more.

Physical activity increase may alleviate risk for primary hyperparathyroidism

Increasing physical activity levels may lower the risk for primary hyperparathyroidism among women, according to study results published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Read more.