Biomedical subjects

Thomas P Foley

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas P Foley.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

The use of filter paper-dried blood spots for thyroid-antibody screening in adults.

Thyroid-antibody screening is recommended for several adult populations, including the elderly and pregnant and postpartum women, and analysis of filter paper-dried blood spots (DBSs) has been a cost-effective means of screening newborns for hypothyroidism for more than 30 years. The aim of this study was to show that DBS specimens can be used to test adults for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) antibodies and thyroid antibodies during screening for thyroid disease in a community setting. Thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroglobilin antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits for serum have been adapted for use with DBSs. A TSH assay for newborn DBSs was adapted for the screening of adults. Parallel specimens, serum and DBSs, were collected during routine care of patients attending a thyroid clinic. In addition, 962 DBS specimens were collected from volunteers at community centers and nursing homes. Twelve months later, a second specimen was collected from each of 411 original volunteers. Antibody results are reported as normal and positive. Ninety-seven percent of the serum/DBS results correlated exactly. Of 962 volunteers from nursing homes and community centers, testing for antibodies was positive or indeterminate (borderline) in 266 (27%). Eighty percent of the patients with an initially normal TSH reading who were positive on the 12-month collection were positive for at least one antibody in the first collection. The use of DBSs is a convenient and efficient way to screen for thyroid antibody as a means of detecting occult thyroid disease in adults.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Genetic and environmental influences on thyroid hormone variation in Mexican Americans.

Thyroid hormones play major roles in the regulation of a wide range of metabolic and physiologic processes, but the genes and environmental factors that affect normal, quantitative variation in thyroid hormone concentrations are largely unknown. Using quantitative genetic methods, we evaluated the effects of genes and environmental factors on thyroid hormone variation in 586 women and 425 men from 27 randomly ascertained Mexican-American families from the San Antonio Family Heart Study. Data were available on free and total T(4), free and total T(3), TSH, thyroglobulin, and T(4)-binding globulin, as well as on covariates, including sex, age, weight, lifestyle habits, physical activity, and others. These covariates accounted for 2-18% of total phenotypic variation, whereas genes accounted for 26-64% of the variation. Overall, free T(3) had the highest heritability, which is noteworthy because it is the most biologically active thyroid hormone and accounts for the vast majority of metabolic and physiologic effects of thyroid hormones. Our results indicate that genes account for a substantial portion of variation in human thyroid hormone levels, and suggest that further studies to identify the genes involved in this variation could reveal important insights into the processes that govern thyroid-mediated metabolism.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Hypothyroidism.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Menstrual cycle differences between women with type 1 diabetes and women without diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate menstrual cycle histories among women with type 1 diabetes, their sisters, and unrelated control subjects without diabetes across all reproductive ages. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Menstrual and reproductive histories were obtained by questionnaire from 143 women with type 1 diabetes, 186 sisters without diabetes, and 158 unrelated control subjects without diabetes participating in the Familial Autoimmune and Diabetes study. RESULTS: Women with type 1 diabetes had more menstrual problems (long cycles, long menstruation, and heavy menstruation) before age 30 years than sisters and control subjects. These differences were all statistically significant, except for heavy menstruation at age <20 years. No differences were observed after age 30 years. Women with type 1 diabetes experienced later menarche, earlier natural menopause, fewer pregnancies, and more stillbirths than women without diabetes. Multiple regression analyses revealed that type 1 diabetes caused an approximate twofold increased risk of any menstrual problem before age 30 years. These were primarily related to long cycles and long menstruation in women aged <20 and 20-29 years, as well as with heavy menstruation from 20 to 29 years. Oral contraceptives were protective for any menstrual problem and heavy menstruation from 30 to 39 years of age. With history of pregnancy from 20 to 40 years of age, any menstrual problem and long menstruation were more likely. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that type 1 diabetes is an independent risk factor for menstrual disturbances in young adults. Future studies may determine whether addressing menstrual disturbances improves quality of life and health for these women.

Adult↗