19 | id == 19
19 | category_id == 6
19 | category_order == 4
19 | category_name == Thyroid
19 | category_color == #C47AC0
19 | slug == low-thyroid-PDE8B
19 | title == A Surprising Genetic Link to Thyroid Hormones (PDE8B)
19 | meta_description == The PDE8B gene is involved in thyroid functions. Click to check if your variants correlate with low thyroid hormones.
19 | summary == <p><strong>Did you know that genes are greatly responsible for&nbsp;thyroid hormone variations?&nbsp;One such gene is called PDE8B, and some of its variants correlate with hypothyroidism. Read on to learn more about this connection.</strong></p>
19 | overall_score_text == Thyroid Score (based on PDE8B gene)
19 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/Do-You-Have-Low-Thyroid-Hormones-Because-of-Your-Genes-PDE8B_JPG.jpg
19 | author_id == 9
19 | author_name == Aleksa Ristic
19 | author_title == MS (Pharmacy)
19 | author_order == 45
19 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Aleksa.jpg
19 | author_intro == <p><strong>Aleksa received his MS in Pharmacy from the University of Belgrade, his master thesis focusing on protein sources in plant-based diets.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>    <p>Aleksa is passionate about herbal pharmacy, nutrition, and functional medicine. He found a way to merge his two biggest passions&mdash;writing and health&mdash;and use them for noble purposes. His mission is to bridge the gap between science and everyday life, helping readers improve their health and feel better.</p>
19 | reviewer_id == 1
19 | reviewer_name == Jasmine Foster
19 | reviewer_title == BSc, BEd
19 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
19 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
19 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
19 | publish_date == 2019
19 | publish_date == 8
19 | publish_date == 21
19 | avg_rating == 5.0
19 | tags_id == 45
19 | tags_name == cAMP
19 | tags_id == 43
19 | tags_name == Hypothyroidism
19 | tags_id == 46
19 | tags_name == PDE8B Gene
19 | tags_id == 41
19 | tags_name == Thyroid
19 | permissions_favorite == False
19 | permissions_rate == False
19 | content_article == <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Symptoms of Low Thyroid Hormones</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Low thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) are among the most common endocrine disorders. The typical symptoms include [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3425758/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cold intolerance</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dry skin</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Weight gain</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fatigue</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Constipation</span></li> </ul> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Did you know?</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">&nbsp;</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism is the second most prescribed drug in the US [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6025009/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Around 20 million Americans have problems with their thyroid [</span><a href="https://www.thyroid.org/media-main/press-room/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Role of Genes</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Is there a role for genetics in this &ldquo;epidemic&rdquo; of thyroid disorders? Given that genetic factors account for 50-90% of thyroid hormone variations, the answer is yes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24086088"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Genes control different stages of thyroid hormones production and release; certain variations in these genes correlate with hypothyroidism.</span></p> <p><span style="display: block; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; padding: 20px; background-color: #e8ebfc;">Low thyroid hormones manifest with cold intolerance, weight gain, and fatigue. Genes play an important role in thyroid hormone variations and related disorders.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Studies Point Their Finger to the PDE8B Gene</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics identified </span><a href="../../gene/pde8b/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">PDE8B</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> variants&mdash;such as </span><a href="../../snp/rs4704397/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs4704397</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">&mdash;associated with low thyroid hormones [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2427267/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a study of almost 40,000 participants, this variant was associated with 18% higher rates of hypothyroidism. That said, the connection was weaker compared with some other variants analyzed in this study [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3321023/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other variants, such as </span><a href="../../snp/rs2046045/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs2046045</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="../../snp/rs1382879"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs1382879</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, also correlated with low thyroid hormones in a couple of other clinical trials, especially in European descendants [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4249871/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4249871/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">*6254826047241249*</span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">How It Works</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">PDE8B</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene encodes phosphodiesterase-8b, an enzyme that breaks down cAMP in your cells. cAMP is a messenger molecule for many vital functions, including the production of thyroid hormones [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/8622"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9706229"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">TSH from the pituitary gland stimulates the thyroid to produce hormones by increasing cAMP. PDE8B and other phosphodiesterases destroy cAMP, reduce thyroid hormone production, and may thus impair thyroid function if they're overactive [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6299622"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With this reduction in thyroid hormones, TSH increases in an effort to restore order. Thus, high TSH indicates hypothyroidism. According to one clinical trial, there is an approximate increase of 0.13 &mu;IU/ml in TSH for each &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele at rs4704397 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24086088"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="display: block; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; padding: 20px; background-color: #e8ebfc;">PDE8B encodes phosphodiesterase-8B, an enzyme that lowers thyroid hormones by destroying cAMP. Specific variants in this gene may increase its activity and correlate with hypothyroidism.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your PDE8B Results for Hypothyroidism</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">*6254826047241249*</span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">SNP Summary</span></h3> <p><strong>Primary SNP: PDE8B </strong><a href="../../snp/rs4704397/"><strong>rs4704397</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24086088"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3321023/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2427267/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = may be associated with higher TSH and hypothyroidism</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = normal TSH, not associated with hypothyroidism</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Important SNPs:</strong></p> <p><strong>PDE8B </strong><a href="../../snp/rs1382879"><strong>rs1382879</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4249871/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = may be associated with higher TSH and hypothyroidism</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = normal TSH, not associated with hypothyroidism</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>PDE8B </strong><a href="../../snp/rs2046045/"><strong>rs2046045</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4249871/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = may be associated with higher TSH and hypothyroidism</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = normal TSH, not associated with hypothyroidism</span></li> </ul> <p>*6571466999526228*</p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Recommendations to Improve Thyroid Health</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Remember to talk to your doctor before making any major changes to your diet, lifestyle, or therapy. This post is for informational purposes only.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">*1635251736047904*</span></p> <p>Lifestyle</p> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/12-reasons-embrace-cold/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cold exposure</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> stimulates brown fat/adipose tissue (BAT) to produce thyroid hormones. Consequently, BAT supports fat burning and energy production [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14715917"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4486781/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3726172/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The body sharply increases cAMP as a metabolic response to cold, which may also diminish the effect of PDE8B variants on the thyroid. In one small clinical trial, acute cold exposure raised blood levels of T3 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1331079/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2547726"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2981794"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cold showers are the easiest way to practice cold exposure all year long and potentially support thyroid health.</span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Diet</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Flavonoids such as luteolin, apigenin, and quercetin can naturally increase your cAMP levels. Make sure to consume a variety of good flavonoid sources: citrus fruits, berries, tea, etc. [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30276558"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15476679"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That said, certain flavonoids such as genistein from soy may worsen thyroid health in people with mild hypothyroidism and low </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-iodine-pregnancy-childhood-diet/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">iodine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> levels [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1241182/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16571087"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6141627/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Methylxanthines (caffeine, theobromine, theophylline) are alkaloids found in tea, coffee, and cocoa. They can boost cAMP by inhibiting phosphodiesterase [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28194561"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Supplements</span></h3> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-of-forskolin/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Forskolin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a component from the Indian Coleus plant, can boost cAMP and potentially reduce the negative effects of your PDE8B variants [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2991045/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By increasing cAMP, forskolin may stimulate the secretion of T4 from the thyroid, but clinical research hasn't confirmed this effect [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2052424"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6286284"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although flavonoids increase cAMP, excessive amounts may hinder the development of thyroid cells. Thus, you may want to avoid flavonoid supplements and stick with food sources instead [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14757961"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21745527"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><strong>Note</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">: PDE8B is not sensitive to most of the above phosphodiesterase inhibitors, but they may help indirectly by increasing cAMP [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9784418"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/8622"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Forskolin is still in the investigational phase, and it's not approved for the prevention or treatment of any medical condition.</span></p>
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19 | content_learn_more_6254826047241249_key == 6254826047241249
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19 | content_learn_more_6254826047241249_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your PDE8B gene slightly lowers cAMP levels and correlates with hypothyroidism. You may want to boost cAMP with specific dietary changes discussed in this post.
19 | content_recommendation_1635251736047904_key == 1635251736047904
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rsIDs = rs1382879,rs2046045,rs4704397
rsStatus = rs1382879,PDE8B,chr5,77226043,T,A,C,,39,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs2046045,PDE8B,chr5,77239986,T,C,G,,31,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs4704397,PDE8B,chr5,77222617,G,A,C,,23,10,HET
