What does Wilson's disease have to do with the thyroid?

Question

My sister may be having problems with her thyroid, the doctor is testing her for Wilson's disease, what does this disease have to do with that?

I understand what Wilson's disease is, please don't post descriptions of it. I'm wanting to know what the thyroid has to do with the disease.

Answer 1

Excessive copper can get deposited anywhere and thyroid gland, though very uncommonly affected, may therefore get affected. Therefore the necessity of thyroid tests for ruling out any consequences. However, you may like to confirm the diagnosis of Wilson’s Disease yourself, which is quite easy. Look for a 2-3 mm brownish circular ring on cornea about 1-3 mm from the periphery of the cornea in both the eyes of your sister. The presence of this ring is a definite sign for Wilson’s disease and thereafter you may continue to trust and follow whatever advice he/she may provide. In early diagnosis, this ring may be incompletely formed and may not encircle the whole cornea.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Wilson Thyroid

Answer 4

You said "may be having problems with her thyroid" which could also mean that she does not or has some concurrent condition. Wilson's disease (problems with copper metabolism) has some signs that can be seen upon examination of the eyes (which you would do if you were checking out a thyroid).

Screening tests should be simple, and, if Wilson's disease is caught early, you will be grateful. Untreated that disease is progressive mostly affecting the liver leading to cirrhosis, mental problems and an early death.

Answer 5

Yes I have heard of it. It is something a quack, well, a doctor but not a good one, made up to get people with underactive thyroids to come to him for help. HE put people on T3 thyroid hormone. I tried it. It was bad!!!! I have hypothyroidism and take synthroid, which is T4. I am sticking with it. It is jist a matter of getting exactly the right dose of it. Wilson's disease does not exist. It is just hypothyroidism that has not been correctly diagnosed or treated.

Answer 6

What is Wilson's Disease?

Wilson's disease is an inherited disorder in which excessive amounts of copper accumulate in the body. Although the accumulation of copper begins at birth, symptoms of the disorder appear later in life, between the ages of 6 and 40. The primary consequence for approximately 40 percent of patients with Wilson's is liver disease. In other patients the first symptoms are either neurological or psychiatric or both, and include tremor, rigidity, drooling, difficulty with speech, abrupt personality change, grossly inappropriate behavior and unexplicable deterioration of school work, neurosis or psychosis.

Is there any treatment?

Treatment of Wilson's disease generally consists of anti-copper agents to remove excess copper from the body and to prevent it from reaccumulating. Most cases are treated with the drugs zinc acetate, trientine, or penicillamine. Penicillamine and trientine increase urinary excretion of copper, however, both drugs can cause serious side effects. Zinc acetate - which blocks the absorption of copper, increases copper excretion in the stool, and causes no serious side affects - is often considered the treatment of choice. Tetrathiomolybdate, an experimental drug, also shows promise in treating Wilson's disease. In rare cases in which there is severe liver disease, a liver transplant may be needed.

What is the prognosis?

Without proper treatment, Wilson's disease is generally fatal, usually by the age of 30. If treatment is begun early enough, symptomatic recovery is usually complete, and a life of normal length and quality can be expected.

What research is being done?

NINDS supports research to find ways to treat and prevent inherited disorders such as Wilson's disease. The ultimate goal of this research is to discover new treatments for the many genetic disorders that strike the brain and nervous system, including Wilson's disease.
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Wilson's Syndrome may be characterised by completely normal thyroid blood test results, although there may be an increase in reverse T3 levels (Wilson's Syndrome can of course, also coexist with clinical thyroid disease). This is because the T3 deficiency occurs inside cells where most of the T4-T3 conversion takes place. As a result, Wilson's Syndrome is normally diagnosed by clinical history and subnormal body temperature readings. Since the body temperature is proportional to the basal metabolism or rate of cellular heat production, it reflects more closely what is actually happening inside cells. Another interesting aspect of Wilson's Syndrome is the effect of T4 upon sufferers of this condition. The Wilson's Syndrome patient will normally experience partial or temporary response to T4 but when the effect wears off the dose must be continually increased in order to further boost the failing conversion of T4 to T3. Wilson claims that correct T3 replacement therapy with a special time release T3 preparation, may permanently correct this disorder and permit the cessation of T3 treatment. It is important to note however, that T3 is a very potent medication which may not be tolerated as well as the less potent and slower acting T4. It is for this reason that Wilson uses a special time release T3 preparation.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Remember doctors are after money and put u on zombie drugs.
Thyroid....your sister needs Kelp tablets.
When it comes to doctors, get a second opinion or research the matter yourself and find your own cure.
Drugs the doctors prescribe are more dangerous than herbal cures or cures that will benefit the body in the long run.

Answer 9

are you sure that it's the "wilson disease" which you know? what tests did the doctor for your sister ,will you please mention them?