Low Birth Weight, Dental X-Rays Linked
Sticking Out Our Necks, the FREE Monthly Thyroid News Report, Enter your email address here for a free subscription

Or Click Here to Send a "Subscribe" Email
 

HOME > ARTICLES > ARTICLE

Latest Update:

SEARCH SITE
 
Low Birth Weight, Dental X-Rays Linked
Thyroid Connection is Suspected

by Mary Shomon

June 2004 -- According to researchers, when a mother receives dental X-rays during pregnancy, there is an increased risk that the baby will be born with low birth weight. The researchers, who reported their findings in The Journal of the American Medical Association, reported that women with low-weight babies were twice as likely to have had multiple dental X-rays.

It's believed that radiation exposure to the thyroid may be the mechanism by which the fetus is being affected.

While the experts say that dental problems should not be neglected, the American Dental Association has said that, based on these finding, dentists should use lead-lines neck collars "whenever practical" to shield the thyroid gland during X-rays. The ADA also recommends that pregnant women postpone elective X-rays whenever possible.

MY ADVICE? Whether or not I'm pregnant, or planning to get pregnant, I ALWAYS ask for a thyroid-shielding lead-lined neck collar for all dental X-rays, and I do so for my young daughter as well. My husband also requests one.

The thyroid is extremely sensitive to radiation. Why expose it needlessly, when a thyroid shield adds just a few extra seconds to the X-ray process?



Is an undiagnosed or improperly treated thyroid condition causing you to pack on the pounds, or dooming you to diet failure? On September 1, 2004, you'll have the answer, with the publication of The Thyroid Diet.

It's the first book written to help thyroid patients -- and those who don't even know they have a thyroid problem yet -- to effectively lose weight. The book features 400 pages of information, including:
  • Diet Planning Worksheets
  • Eating Plans
  • Food Lists
  • Gourmet Recipes
  • Information on Safe & Helpful Supplements and Herbs
Pre-order your copy from Amazon.com now, for only $10.47, a 30% saving of $4.48 over the $14.95 list price. You can also read the Table of Contents>, and the book's Introduction online now.

The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss, by Mary J. Shomon
Coming Sept. 1, 2004 from HarperCollins, 400 pages, ISBN: 0-06-052444-8

Sticking Out Our Necks and this website are © Copyright Mary Shomon, 1997-2004. All rights reserved. Mary Shomon, Editor/Webmaster
All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician or health practitioner before starting a new treatment program. Please see our full disclaimer.