We know that too much of anything can have a negative impact on our bodies. The effects of overworking, for example, have long been known to be the cause of many chronic and acute conditions. South Korean studies have found that working extended hours in front of your computer--or working in general, despite whatever industry--can result in an abnormal release of thyroxine hormones found in your thyroid. These could cause hyperthyroidism.
Don't overwork! Study finds one cause of hyperthyroidism is spending above 8 hours working
According to a report in Daily Mail UK, studies from South Korean health experts have revealed the effect that overworking has on our thyroid--causing hyperthyroidism.
As they explained, hyperthyroidism happens when the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. Once this happens, heart function, digestion, muscle control, brain development, and bone maintenance could possibly be affected. It can also accelerate your body's metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss and a rapid or an irregular heartbeat.
As found by experts in the National Cancer Center in Goyang-si, South Korea, working more than the advised 8 hours a day can increase one's chances of contracting this condition. Hyperthyroidism was seen to be twice as common in people who work more than 53 hours a week, compared to those working 36 to 42 hours a week.
"A total of 2,160 adults who worked 36-83 hours per week were included in the survey. Thyroid function was defined based on the population thyroid-stimulating hormone reference ranges after excluding individuals with positive results for thyroid peroxidase antibody," as explained in the study. "The association between working hours and thyroid function was confirmed via multinomial logistic regression."
No gender is exempted
Despite the common knowledge that women tend to have higher chances of getting hyperthyroidism, Lee said that acquiring this disease affects everyone--male or female. As long as you work above your maximum working hours, your chances increase over time.
"Overwork is a prevalent problem threatening the health and safety of workers worldwide," said principal investigator Young Ki Lee at the National Cancer Center in Goyang-si, South Korea. "To our knowledge, this study is the first to show that long working hours are associated with hypothyroidism."
"Additionally, screening for hypothyroidism could be easily integrated into workers' health screening programs using simple laboratory tests," he added.
Coronavirus makes us work for longer hours
Since everyone is now required to stay in their homes, working from home is also an option. Unfortunately, the study finds that when you work-from-home, you tend to spend more time working compared to normal office hours. As reported via CNBC, an average working day in the United States has increased by three hours since mid-March.
