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Are Thyroid Problems Genetic?

When you are or a loved one is diagnosed with thyroid disease, it is understandable that you want to know the cause. In uncovering why you or a relative has developed thyroid disease, you may wonder if thyroid problems are genetic. Here we explain this in more detail and help you determine if you are at risk of thyroid disease if a close family member also has a history of problems with their thyroid, or whether you may ‘pass on’ thyroid disease to your children.

What does the research say about thyroid problems being genetic?

If you simply Google ‘are thyroid problems genetic’ you will gather the picture that they are. This isn’t completely clear cut. There are several different types of thyroid disease and several different causes. Even if you have the genetic predisposition for thyroid disease, it is not guaranteed that you will actually get it and there are likely other contributing factors.

However, research does reveal that genetics play a sizeable role in your thyroid hormone levels. It is having too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) and having too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) that causes thyroid disease. Therefore, as genetics determine these levels, to some degree, there is a genetic component to thyroid disease overall. Indeed, studies have shown that up to 67% of the circulating thyroid hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is determined by your genetic make-up – what you’ve inherited from your parents.

What causes genetically different thyroid hormone levels?

As yet, whilst scientists know that genetics play a crucial role in the amount of the different thyroid hormones you have, they don’t yet know exactly why. They are working to identify the specific genes, such as those for iodothyronine deiodinase a and the TSH receptor, so that they can determine what’s going on, as well as devise different approaches to prevention and treatment, but as yet, it’s not clear cut.

What is clearer cut is that thyroid disease is often an autoimmune disease, and this type of the disease does run in families. Indeed, autoimmune diseases in general run in families and have strong genetic components.

The broad umbrella of thyroid disease

As such, when determining if your thyroid problems are genetic, it’s important to understand that there are different types of thyroid disease. By identifying your type, you can look at the likelihood that it is genetic and consider how this affects decisions concerning your treatment and the likelihood of children developing thyroid disease during their lives.

‘Thyroid disease’ is a general term. In all forms of the disease, the common element is that your thyroid isn’t producing the right amount of hormones. Thyroid hormones are essential for regulating your metabolism. From regulating your heart rate to using energy, a fine balance of these hormones is essential.

If your body is over-producing the hormones then you will use energy too rapidly. This condition is known as hyperthyroidism. You may experience tachycardia (racing heart), insomnia, weight loss or other symptoms. Find out more about hyperthyroidism.

The other broad type of thyroid disease is called hypothyroidism. This is when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of the hormones you need. You may feel lethargy and fatigue, gain weight, or have problems getting warm.

Within these broad types of thyroid disease – hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism – there are different reasons and causes.

The most common type of thyroid disease is hypothyroidism and the most common type of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s disease which is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease happens when your body’s natural defense system is effectively confused and cannot tell the difference between itself and outside dangers. We know that autoimmune diseases are often hereditary. It therefore would appear that the most prevalent type of thyroid problems are genetic, or at least involve a genetic component.

This isn’t necessarily helpful information to know, yet, as scientists don’t know why it happens. It’s also likely that, even in Hashimoto’s disease, genetics only play one part in the development of the disease. It is likely that the genetic markers are necessary to develop the disease, but that it is triggered or exacerbated by a combination of factors, including things from your lifestyle or environment.

Thyroid disease can affect anyone (although it is more common in women), and it can develop at different times. It’s common and affects around 1 in 20 people, depending on the country’s data you’re looking at. In addition to genetic factors, there are other things which may increase your likelihood of developing thyroid disease, including:

  • Another autoimmune condition e.g. people with Type I diabetes are
    more likely to develop hypothyroidism. The same is true for other
    autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Turner syndrome.
  • Medication high in iodine such as amiodarone.
  • Having past treatment for a thyroid condition, including removal of the thyroid gland due to thyroid cancer.
  • Being female and over 60.

Knowing that thyroid disease is genetic

At the end of the day, whilst it is interesting to know the cause of your thyroid disease, and this can help you forewarn children to keep an eye on their health, it doesn’t change the current management of the disease.

For the vast majority of people with thyroid disease, because they have hypothyroidism, their management involves treatment through replacement thyroid hormone, for example by taking levothyroxine.

Research is continuing, but realistically it is still early days. For now, the important thing is understanding how to manage and treat your own disease. It can take some trial and error to get your thyroid medication balanced so that you become symptom free, but this is possible. As such, it’s possible to live a full life despite having thyroid disease.

Please remember that information provided by International Pharmacy is for your interest only and isn’t intended to replace medical advice. Please always consult with your physician regarding your own health.