Hypothyroidism/ Asthma

[Wirewaist2]

Does anyone know if there is a direct link between Hypothyroidism and Asthma?  My mother had her thyroid removed about 10 yrs ago.  She has been plagued with chronic asthma every since.   It getting progressively worst. Does anyone have advice or info they are willing to share on the subject.  Would be greatly appreciated.

[Wirewaist2]

Thanks so much.  I'll keep what you have said in mind.  We are now looking at my mom's Thyroid meds.  I do believe she's not getting enough.  Thanks again for sharing.

[Wirewaist2]

Thanks for the info on Hypothyroidism/Asthma.  Its been a few weeks since I've visited the forum.  As always all info is greatly appreciated.

[flyingfool]

All I can relate is personal experience.  It is anecdotal but this has been what happened with my wife.

My wife has asthma.  When she started getting more thyroid hormone, she was able to stop entirely her asthma medication (Advair).

her Endo retired and the next Dr cut her thyroid med dosage.  she is not Hypo again.  And the last time my wife had her lungs tested the allergist told her her lung capacity was diminished and told my wife to start taking her Advair again!

My wife found a new Dr and changed and recently increased her thyroid meds again.  I suspect that as my wife's thyroid levels get balanced or optimized that she again will not need her asthma medication.

Again there is no promise that this was not just all completely a coincidence. But All I know is when my wife was Hypo she needed asthma medication, and when her thyroid levels were higher she could stop the asthma medication.

BTW the same thing was true with regard to acid reflux (GERD).  When her thyroid hormone was up, the GERD went away and she could stop taking the acid reflux disease medication.

[Red_Star]

"An epidemiologic study found that hypothyroidism may also be associated with asthma,3 although this association is less well established than the association with depression." - Hypothyroidism in Patients With Asthma and Major Depressive Disorder

Also of interest is Catalyst's two part series called Gut Reaction. Here is a some of the transcript...

"Professor Matt Cooper
I ended up taking a puffer twice a day and I was taking steroids two or three times a day. I had several incidents where I was really worried, I was almost gonna go to hospital, it was that bad. I was taking puff after puff, I could barely breathe.

NARRATION
But now he's started eating more fibre and using liberal quantities of vinegar.

Professor Matt Cooper
I radically changed my diet. I dropped certain processed foods, I made sure it was brown rice, brown pasta, brown bread, bran in the morning and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. And now I probably have one puff a year, if that."