Methods and Compositions for Treating Thyroid-Related Medical Conditions with Reduced Folates

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating thyroid-related medical conditions. Many thyroid-related medical conditions exist that go undiagnosed and untreated. These conditions may be prevented and treated with reduced folates and vitamin B12. Administration of reduced folates and vitamin B12 will prevent or treat cerebrospinal folate deficiency, which is linked to thyroid-related medical conditions. Administration of reduced folates and vitamin B12 will also prevent or treat conditions associated with masked megaloblastic anemia and hypothyroidism, and other conditions brought upon through improper thyroid function. Additionally, it is commonplace to treat many thyroid conditions with anti-thyroid drugs or thyroid stimulating drugs. This practice alone is also responsible for causing, or not beneficially addressing, adverse conditions that can be prevented or treated through the methods and compositions discussed herein.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of preventing and treating thyroid-related medical conditions comprising the administration of a folate. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , additionally comprising the administration of vitamin B12. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the thyroid-related medical condition is brought upon by hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  where the thyroid-related medical condition is cerebrospinal folate deficiency. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  where the thyroid-related medical condition is masked megaloblastic anemia or a masked macrocytic anemia, or a macrocytic anemia. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  where the thyroid-related medical condition is hepatic dysfunction. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  where the thyroid-related medical condition is hypothyroxinemia or other temporary period of hypothyroidism. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  where the thyroid-related medical condition is presented in an individual that is treated with radioactive iodine, has surgery on or related to the thyroid gland or undergoes any other method or procedure to reduce the size or activity of the thyroid gland. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  where the thyroid-related medical condition is presented in an individual that is treated with or takes an anti-thyroid drug or thyroid stimulating drug, or undergoes any treatment intended to increase or decrease thyroid hormone or thyroid function. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  where the thyroid-related medical. condition is presented in an individual that is a fetus or a nursing child of a mother or caregiver who has a thyroid-related medical condition. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  where the folate is a reduced folate. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , additionally comprising the administration of Iron. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , additionally comprising the administration of L-Carnitine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , additionally comprising Calcium or Vitamin D. 
     
     
         15 . A composition comprising either an anti-thyroid drug or a thyroid stimulating drug, and a folate. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , additionally comprising vitamin B12. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 15  where the folate is a reduced folate. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 15  where the anti-thyroid drug is selected from the group consisting of propylthiouracil, methimazole, carbimazole and potassium perchlorate. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 15  where the thyroid stimulating drug is selected from the group consisting of Levothyroxine, Levothyroxine Sodium, Liothyronine Sodium, Lintrix, Thyroglobulin, Thyroid, Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Levo-T, Unithroid, Levothroid, Levoxine, Levolet, Novothyrox, Triostat, Cytomel and Thyrolar. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , additionally comprising either Iron, or L-Carnitine, or Calcium, or Vitamin D.