Re: To smoke..or not to smoke..

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian

Kidneys that have adapted to having an increasing amount of cadmium

from tobacco (an accumulator of cadmium) will eventually function

differently from 'unmolested' kidneys. That needs to be born in mind

if giving up smoking.

The other three factors are the 'tar', the nicotine, and the carbon

monoxide.

The latter one is biochemically active in the body and functions

somewhat like nitric oxide as a (very) small signalling molecule.

In combination with (haem)oglobin in either red bood cells or in

other enzyme functions attached to haem units, carbon monoxide will

affect the reactivity of the haem itself.

So, the relevant enzymes are directly affected; the more carbon

monoxide, the worse the effect. There is a need to manage the carbon

monoxide toxicity.

Secondly: the nicotine needs to be managed for its beneficial effects;

a nicotine patch will allow the slow reduction of the urge to smoke.

Filters remove much of the tar, but some of the volatile compounds

will inevitably get through, damaging the liver's clean-up function.

Reducing the cigarette smoking whilst compensating for the loss of

beneficial effects will allow a better adjustment of biochemistry

over a long enough time scale to note good and bad effects without

precipitating a crisis.

best wishes

Bob

>

> Hi all,

>

> I've been doing some research to see if there are any 'unfriendly

> environmental' influencing factors that are linked with

> hypothyroidism. One thing I keep coming across that I have not seen

> mentioned here yet on the forum is smoking.

> I don't want to alarm the smokers amongst us, as I understand that

> some people need a cigarette to get throught the day. (Just like I

> need chocolate!)

[Guest guest]

Hi Bob,

How did I guess you would have a take on this?!!

URGGGhhh....This says it all I think...although its not me that needs

convincing.

Just one cheeky question...I can't work out if are you a smoker or a

non-smoker?!

Best wishes,

Gillian

> Reducing the cigarette smoking whilst compensating for the loss of

> beneficial effects will allow a better adjustment of biochemistry

> over a long enough time scale to note good and bad effects without

> precipitating a crisis.

[Guest guest]

I was just reading something about that this morning in " Take control

of your health and escape the sickness industry " by Elaine

Hollingsworth. On page 34 she warns that even passive smoking can

lead to serious adrenal insufficiency. It's a great book, by the way,

and fully recognises the impact and implications of thyroid problems.

Miriam

> I've been doing some research to see if there are any 'unfriendly

> environmental' influencing factors that are linked with

> hypothyroidism. One thing I keep coming across that I have not seen

> mentioned here yet on the forum is smoking.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian,

I was a 'compulsive' passive smoker for the first sixteen/seventeen

years of my life (both parents), then an 'ad hoc' passive smoker,

then a commercially 'impelled' smoker for about two months (pipe) (

worked as an industrial placement student at Wills tobacco company ),

but did not continue, then gave my Director of Studies a good talking

to after the experience and got him to stop immediately (hopefully).

yer know, it's not addictive!!

best wishes

Bob

>

> Hi Bob,

>

> How did I guess you would have a take on this?!!

>

> URGGGhhh....This says it all I think...although its not me that

needs

> convincing.

>

> Just one cheeky question...I can't work out if are you a smoker or

a

> non-smoker?!

>

> Best wishes,

> Gillian

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the book tip Miriam...I'll look out for it.

I so agree about passive smoking...I can't abide the smell of tobacco

smoke anyway and cigars make me feek sick.

I had no idea about the adrenal connection though. Anyone who dares to

come near me with a cigarette will be extinguished!

Gillian

>

> I was just reading something about that this morning in " Take control

> of your health and escape the sickness industry " by Elaine

> Hollingsworth. On page 34 she warns that even passive smoking can

> lead to serious adrenal insufficiency.

[Guest guest]

Smoking has come up on this forum before, with a number of comments

concerning people developing full-blown hypothyroid symptoms AFTER

they gave up smoking. Certainly this happened to my mother.

It was tempting to think that smoking warded off hypothyroidism but

it seems more likely that it masks the symptoms and somehow

compensates for the metabolic problems. Dare I say it - an

unwitting form of self-medication?

I absolutely HATE smoking as merely being around smoke sets off

violent asthma attacks. However, my daughter has somehow succombed

to the habit and is noticeably much better physically and energywise

as a smoker than she was previously. It seems to have balanced out

her moods and stops her falling asleep all the time. She is finally

a normal weight and size after years of undeserved obesity.

Personally I suspect that she, like all the other women in my

family, has inherited our susceptibility to thyroid problems.

Given the reluctance of GPs around here to diagnose the obvious (it

took me 10 years!!)my daughter will just have to continue smoking to

feel human and actually have a life.

There have been times when I have seriously been tempted to take up

smoking to see whether it gets rid of the remaining symptoms which

T4 won't shift, eg the damned myxoedema and spiralling weight gain.

However, I need to breathe to stay alive and smoking would prevent

this. I might try nicotine gum to see if that does the trick but

would need to pinpoint first whether it is the nicotine or something

else which is the active ingredient.

Of course the sensible thing would be to simply get on a combination

T3/T4 medication regime but that looks pretty impossible given the

medical profession's lack of proper thyroid education and all the

other NHS obstacles.

Tracey

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I fully understand what you are saying about your daughter as my son

is exactly the same. I couldn't live with him if he didn't smoke! (He

is banished outside in the garden though in all weathers!)

My son is 26 now and although he does not have a thyroid problem he

does have an adrenal problem which causes his hands to shake

slightly. The Endo called this an essential tremor. He is still a bit

overweight too so more's the pity. Fortunately for him it does not

show too much as he is 6ft 7 " !

Gillian

However, my daughter has somehow succombed

> to the habit and is noticeably much better physically and

energywise

> as a smoker than she was previously. It seems to have balanced out

> her moods and stops her falling asleep all the time. She is finally

> a normal weight and size after years of undeserved obesity.

> Personally I suspect that she, like all the other women in my

> family, has inherited our susceptibility to thyroid problems.

>

> Given the reluctance of GPs around here to diagnose the obvious (it

> took me 10 years!!)my daughter will just have to continue smoking

to

> feel human and actually have a life.

[Guest guest]

I may have imagined this but I am sure I read somewhere about dark

chocolate being prescribed on the NHS for some reason. I do know that

bottles of stout used to be available for nursing mothers so some food

and drink IS regarded as medicine ;o)

Tracey

> I can just imagine a scene from Chocoholic's anonymous...

> " My names Gillian and I am a chocoholic! " .

> Hardly surprising really, as a child I was always rewarded with the

> stuff for being good!

>

> Best wishes,

> Gillian

[Guest guest]

They will, or their cigarette? :-)

Miriam

Anyone who dares to come near me with a cigarette will be extinguished!

> Gillian

[Guest guest]

Hiya

I am preparing to be very unpopular now

There are studies where benefits of smoking for alzeimers and

Parkinsons patients are shown so I don't know what to make of that.

Also I have heard that absolutely no conclusive studies were done

about passive smoking. Who benefits from everyone stopping smoking?

(By the way I am not saying it is good for you at all, it is bad for

your chest but I know lots of old people who have smoked their entire

life and they are healthier than me). Well Big Pharma certainly

benefits from all the prescribed and privately purchased nicotine

products.

The additives to tobacco are absolutely disgusting, what horrible

chemicals.

I always play devils advocate though.

Have you heard about the next onslaught on smokers? 3rd hand smoke?

Just when does this get too ridiculous and obviously an instrument

which being so unpopular makes it possible for the nanny state to

control peoples behaviour even within their own home (Califonia State

is doing this already).

I would advocate anyones right to not smoke or smoke with informed

choices. I know it is not good for me but I do tend towards the

attitude that, especially with the passive smoking thing, it has been

way over sensationalised.

There you may attack me now lol.

lotsa luv

Dawnx

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian

Smoking has been discussed on this forum, but not while you have been a

member. It has been found that quite often, those who suffer with

hypothyroidism did not start getting the symptoms until they STOPPED

smoking, and this coincided with me. Seems tobacco has benefits (other

than causing high cholesterol and other baddies). Ask the question how

many ex-smokers developed the symptoms of hypothyroidism once they quit.

Luv - Sheila

> (If you go into hospital for whatever reason, they will always note

> in your records whether you are a smoker, or a non-smoker.)

> It would also be interesting to read if there are any contradictions

> to this argument.

>

[Guest guest]

It is interesting what you say about ex-smokers developing

hypothyroidism after they quit smoking. I wonder if this is because

they are replacing the cigarettes with a higher food intake to

compensate?

We know overeating can cause weight gain.....this can then lead to

hypothyroidism...?

I know many people who have put on weight since quitting....equally I

know many people who have smoked all their lives and are seemingly

still in good shape.

Who said life was fair?

Gillian

Seems tobacco has benefits (other

> than causing high cholesterol and other baddies). Ask the question how

> many ex-smokers developed the symptoms of hypothyroidism once they

quit.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian,

....the best deal was to wait for the chocolate, then quit the scene

before the next ciggie was needed...guile, a bike, > 10yrs of age was

helpful..could never 'fathom' why people needed the ciggies...

but my turn of speed in fetching urgent supplies from the local

newsagents was impressive...choccy or ciggies...

Bob

>

> Tobacco addiction is a bit like alcohol and chocolate really isn't

it?

>

> I can just imagine a scene from Chocoholic's anonymous...

> " My names Gillian and I am a chocoholic! " .

> Hardly surprising really, as a child I was always rewarded with the

> stuff for being good!

>

> Best wishes,

> Gillian

>

[Guest guest]

Hi all

I heard that nicotine stimulates t3 production.

bw

nil

Re: To smoke..or not to smoke..

It is interesting what you say about ex-smokers developing hypothyroidism after they quit smoking. I wonder if this is because they are replacing the cigarettes with a higher food intake to compensate?We know overeating can cause weight gain.....this can then lead to hypothyroidism...?I know many people who have put on weight since quitting....equally I know

[Guest guest]

What or where is this chat group by the way, Lilian?

>

> >>>I'll get my knuckles rapped for going off topic here but...<<<<

>

> Lol.

> You are right Gillian, time to take this thread over to the chat

group please as it seems to have wandered off the thyroid topic.

>

> Lilian

>

[Guest guest]

Every member who joins gets an invitation to join the chat group which is a private group for members only. I will send you the link privately.

Anyone else who would like to join can send me an email privately giving me their email address I will send them the invitation again too.

Lilian

Moderator

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian

My turn of speed was probably due to hyperthyroidism ..as far as I know,

and all the associated over-driven problems ~ being male.....

combine that with suspect (LO)CAH and my 'rocket' performance was quite

good.....

.....could always do 100yds very quickly.....daren't risk angina these

days if I 'put my foot down' too hard.....with careful re-training, I

could probably do well still.....kids don't expect grandads to be able

to out-run them........I tried to keep up with the swimmers one day in

their training session...they cheated, they had mini flippers as traing

aids......blast, didn't see them... lol

My paternal grandmother had goitre (Derbyshire Neck) and died before

age 30y in the 1920s.....probably an inheritable 'compensation' via the

methylation process (the genome is altered to compensate for immediate

environmental factors )....

Bob

>

>

> I'll get my knuckles rapped for going off topic here but...

> ...oh yes...it brings it all back now.. and that was in the days when

> they sold ciggies to kids..and they think we have got it bad now with

> youngsters today.

[Guest guest]

Hi Nil - I never heard that, but it

does appear that smoking can 'mask' the symptoms of hypothyroidism, though when

I went to search for papers, studies or research , I came across this one http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=FVfzRvaucq8C & pg=PA2131 & lpg=PA2131 & dq=nicotine+stimulates+thyroid+hormone+production & source=web & ots=xZcNu_0aTU & sig=Kqs1gShwbvJfpLqdWA6yGfi-KXk & hl=en & ei=h9uXSbijN5fF-QbNyO37Bg & sa=X & oi=book_result & resnum=4 & ct=result

Luv - Sheila

Hi all

I heard that nicotine stimulates t3

production.

bw

nil

[Guest guest]

Hi Lilian and Gillian (I'm a poet

and I don't know it " …actually, this is NOT off topic. This

discussion is about the effects (or not) of smoking on the metabolic system and

whether it could be a cause (or not) of hypothyroidism. This discussion should

be left here on the main forum. The Chat forum is to chat about anything OTHER

than thyroid disease.

Luv - Sheila

>>>I'll get my knuckles rapped for going off topic here

but...<<<<

You

are right Gillian, time to take this thread over to the chat group please as it

seems to have wandered off the thyroid topic.

.._,___

[Guest guest]

I'd be interested to know how many of those of us

> with Hashi's have been smokers...

I have never smoked in my life and I am now hypo and 2 stone overweight.

Gillian

[Guest guest]

Hypothyroidism causes weight gain

because the metabolism becomes too low to burn off excess calories. Also,

taking levothyroxine can be a cause of weight gain. I have not heard that

weight gain can be a cause of hypothyroidism.

Luv - Sheila

We know overeating can cause weight gain.....this can then lead to

hypothyroidism...?

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_,___

[Guest guest]

You sound like you've still got it Bob compared to a lot of Grandad's I

know!

To keep this on topic..I was definitely 'hyper' too in my younger days,

I wasn't fast but there were never enough hours in the day for me.

Sadly I have not been able to maintain my energy levels this last few

years and being 'hypo' is no picnic.

I would give anything to be young and fit again...listen to the sound

of Violins playing in the background?!)

Gillian

> My turn of speed was probably due to hyperthyroidism ..as far as I

know,

> and all the associated over-driven problems ~ being male.....

[Guest guest]

I didn't mean that weight gain was a cause of hypothyroidism, I was

trying to say that the two conditions seemed to go hand in hand.

I've actually lost 5 pounds since I've been on levothyroxine without

really trying. (That is since I was first diagnosed last Feb)

Gillian

>

> Hypothyroidism causes weight gain because the metabolism becomes too

low to

> burn off excess calories. Also, taking levothyroxine can be a cause of

> weight gain. I have not heard that weight gain can be a cause of

> hypothyroidism.

[Guest guest]

Hi Tracey,

Tell me tell me mmmmmm chocholate ( dribbles like Homer

Simpson)

Yes, I was recommended to drink Guinness by midwife- helped baby sleep

at night too

Subject: Re: To smoke..or not to smoke..

I may have imagined this but I am sure I read somewhere about dark

chocolate being prescribed on the NHS for some reason. I do know that

bottles of stout used to be available for nursing mothers so some food

and drink IS regarded as medicine ;o)

Tracey

------------------------------------

TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical

practitioner before changing medication.

[Guest guest]

Hi Dawn,

It is legal to smoke and therefore your choice to do so or not.

I just love the no smoking in public laws, as I can now go the pub,

enjoy my evening and not have to wash every stitch, myself and my hair

before I go to bed due to the stink. I think it is sad that most pubs

are now one big room- in the old days there were several small bars- one

of which was usually the Smoke room, better to segregate rather then

have folk huddling outside and leave butts all over the ground as often

happens.

Subject: Re: To smoke..or not to smoke..

Hiya

I am preparing to be very unpopular now

I would advocate anyones right to not smoke or smoke with informed

choices. I know it is not good for me but I do tend towards the

attitude that, especially with the passive smoking thing, it has been

way over sensationalised.

There you may attack me now lol.

lotsa luv

Dawnx

------------------------------------

TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical

practitioner before changing medication.