Dementia link with hypothyroidism

[pharmachameleon]

Ugh, just came across this and now I'm concerned. Researchers have found a significantly increased risk of dementia in those aged over 65 with hypothyroidism.

www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/thyroid-problems-in-later-life-linked-to-increased-risk-of-dementia/

What I'm trying to understand is it only those diagnosed with hypothyroidism aged o er 65 that are affected? I've been on thyroid meds since I was 47-I'm now 49. So I'll still be on thyroid meds aged over 65.
Not a lot I can do about it I suppose!

I'm T1 diabetic and also have had thyroid disease since I was 17.
Honestly, don't sweat it. Like you say, there is NOTHING we can do. Exercise lots, have a healthy diet and the rest is out of our hands.
I understand though as I can torture myself - you've caught me on a good day

Ps. I've just had a look and it's not very clear what it means is it?!

No it's not that clear is it? You need to take meds for hypothyroidism for life so why the link with those aged over 65? What does it mean?

My mum was diagnosed hypothyroid in her fifties, turns 84 next week and still pretty much ‘all there’ if it helps put your mind at rest.

@OhFGSwhatTFnow sort of thanks. I have brain fog a lot though and don't need a worry like this!

My family all have thyroid issues my nan has this and dementia her sister had it and no dementia it's pot luck

Family history of thyroid issues here too though I've managed to avoid it thus far.

Mum is 85 with no signs of dementia and her mother was the same. Both medicated from their early 40s onwards.

People aged 65 and over with a history of hypothyroidism – meaning their thyroid gland is underactive so they are not producing enough thyroid hormone – had an 81% increased risk of developing dementia compared to people without thyroid problems.
Those aged between 50 and 65 years with hypothyroidism did not have an increased risk of dementia.

I think it means that once you are over 65, if you have hypothyroidism your risk of developing dementia is higher.

But presumably it goes up anyway the older you are, and there are other factors at play.

I do think it's pot luck to some extent, and genetics. But perhaps a badly managed underactive thyroid could lead you to become depressed, less active, more isolated etc which then increases your risk of developing other conditions.

My thyroid failed at 34 and I've been on medication ever since so this is scary to read but I'm not going to panic. I don't understand what it means by an increased risk of 81% either? Does that mean it's more or less certain or does it mean the if everyone over the age of 65 has a risk of 10% our risk is 18.1%?(No i didn't study science!)

I think it's the latter so basically it almost doubles the chances of getting Alzheimer's. So a woman without hypothyroidism's lifetime risk is 1/5 so I guess this puts the odds up to closer to 2/5 if you have hypothyroidism. Still less than 50% chance...

Oh great, something else to worry about!

OK thanks for explaining that bumpitybumper.

Yes it's one in 9 over the age of 65 according to a very quick google, so ours is almost double that.
Bugger.
Still a lot of other lifestyle things can reduce that risk.

Not great. The study also said that the risk isn't there if you had hyperthyroidism then hypothyroidism which I have had. I was hyper in my twenties and new hypo in my forties.
And I would like to know if the risk is reduced if you are medicated for hypo correctly.
And does it just apply to those newly diagnosed after age 65?
There doesn't seem to be much info out there though.

This Danish study explains that every 6 months of elevated TSH [above 4.0IU/L] increased the risk of dementia by 12%.
My TSH was 69 when it was diagnosed and presumably was creeping up for months/years before that. It's been really low since I started treatment (around 1 I think-can't remember-dementia starting!!) so does that mean my risk of dementia is now back to baseline?

This study onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cen.14424

I think it's a history of hypothyroidism, from any age, not just over 65. But it's when you get to that age that maybe those with thyroid disease pull ahead statistics of people with dementia?

It also says People who had hypothyroidism and took medication for this had the strongest association with an increased risk of dementia.

I mean there's no way you can't take medication, so what can you do?

@footballdramas yes I saw that statement re the medication too. I mean we can't not take the meds can we?

OP do you have Hashimoto’s?

Any autoimmune disease is going to drive systemic chronic inflammation. This leads to insulin resistance and therefore increases the chances of dementia (type 3 diabetes).

Controlling autoimmune disorders is key belt fixing gut health.

@LMNT yes I do have Hashimotos. Try my best with my gut health-I have kefir every day and try and eat as many seeds and nuts and as varied a diet as possible.

Dementia is Type 3 diabetes? Wow I never knew that.

Definitely agree re. systemic inflammation, poor gut health and insulin resistance making thyroid disease worse.

Along with poorly managed thyroid disease.

@pharmachameleon in my experience nuts and seeds, nightshades, high fibre vegetables and processed food (including all seed oils) are detrimental to Hashimoto’s patients.

What was your last TPO Ab result?

Low carb diets are excellent for Hashimoto’s and as a bonus help insulin resistance. Would you give it a go?

@LMNT oh bloody great! 😭
I've never had my TPO ab level checked. I think it's because my TSH was so high my GP reckoned it was definitely autoimmune so no point checking for antibodies. Anyway I'm lucky to get my T3 and T4 checked never mind any other results.

@LMNT
Low carb diets are excellent for Hashimoto’s

Do you have a source that backs this up? Thanks