Although controversial, many believe that hypothyroidism is underdiagnosed and that many people who have had blood tests indicating normal thyroid function may actually suffer from hypothyroidism. Broda Barnes, MD, was perhaps the first to come to the conclusion that many people suffering from chronic illness had underfunctioning thyroids. In his book, Hypothyroidism, the Unsuspected Illness (HarperCollins Publishers Inc, 1976), he states that hidden hypothyroidism is responsible for many chronic health problems including heart disease, immune system problems and chronic fatigue. He also felt that laboratory tests miss many cases of hypothyroidism.
Barnes developed a way to screen for hypothyroidism using a basal body temperature. Other physicians have come to the conclusion that symptoms are a much more important indicator of a thyroid problem. Another physician, Dr. E. D. Wilson has coined the term ?Wilson's Syndrome? for people who exhibit hypothyroid symptoms but have normal thyroid tests. Dr. Wilson has been sued for malpractice and has had his Florida medical license suspended. Needless to say, his views are not popular in traditional medical circles.
Relying on a simple TSH measurement and treating hypothyroidism based on symptoms represent two extreme points of view. Many people suffer from symptoms of hypothyroidism, but have normal TSH values. The British Medical Journal [BMJ 2000;320:1332-1334 ( 13 May )] published research examining the flaws in diagnosing hypothyroidism. The authors concluded the following:
- There are no data on the relative importance of biochemical thyroid function tests and clinical symptoms and signs in assessing thyroid dysfunction.
- Secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone is influenced by many factors other than the negative feedback inhibition by thyroxine or triiodothyronine.
- Changes in thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroxine, and triiodothyronine concentrations during systemic illness are poorly understood.
- Thyroid function tests cannot be interpreted in patients with systemic illness.
- Since thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations are distributed logarithmically in the population, minor changes are unlikely to be clinically important.
- The possibility of false positive and false negative results should be considered in interpreting thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations.
Thyroid problems are under diagnosed and, according to this research, relying solely on TSH measurements to diagnose thyroid problems may not be an effective strategy for finding thyroid disease.
Possible Signs and Symptoms:
Below are some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. All of the symptoms need not be present for the patient to have hypothyroidism. Also, an underfunctioning thyroid can lead to high cholesterol, heart disease and immune system problems.
· Low body temperature. Patient feels cold even when others do not.
· Fatigue.
· Lack of motivation.
· Loss of interest in sex.
· High cholesterol.
· Sadness or crying for no reason. This can include women who have this symptom or experience mood swings at certain times during their menstrual cycle.
· Inability to lose weight.
· Puffiness under the eyes.
· Ankle swelling.
· Depression.
· Frequent colds.
According to Dr. Broda Barnes, the basal body temperature test can determine a possible problem with the thyroid. Axillary temperature (in the arm pit) is taken the very first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. No movement, the thermometer should even be shaken down the night before. If the thyroid is functioning properly, according to Dr. Barnes, the axillary temperature should be between 97.8°F and 98.2°F.
Of course a low temperature cannot be used as a complete diagnosis for thyroid problems. But if the temperature is low and the symptoms are present, there may indeed be a thyroid problem. You can look at the labs and read them a little more liberally and the ?normal? values might not be so normal. A TSH above two is ?normal?, but in the presence of symptoms and low temperature may need to be addressed. There is a lot that can be done nutritionally that can alleviate the patients? symptoms. One thing nice about nutritional therapy, there is a lot to be gained, and very little is risked.
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Although controversial, many believe that hypothyroidism is underdiagnosed and that many people who have had blood tests indicating normal thyroid function may actually suffer from hypothyroidism. Broda Barnes, MD, was perhaps the first to come to the conclusion that many people suffering from chronic illness had underfunctioning thyroids. In his book, Hypothyroidism, the Unsuspected Illness (HarperCollins Publishers Inc, 1976), he states that hidden hypothyroidism is responsible for many chronic health problems including heart disease, immune system problems and chronic fatigue. He also felt that laboratory tests miss many cases of hypothyroidism.
Barnes developed a way to screen for hypothyroidism using a basal body temperature. Other physicians have come to the conclusion that symptoms are a much more important indicator of a thyroid problem. Another physician, Dr. E. D. Wilson has coined the term ?Wilson's Syndrome? for people who exhibit hypothyroid symptoms but have normal thyroid tests. Dr. Wilson has been sued for malpractice and has had his Florida medical license suspended. Needless to say, his views are not popular in traditional medical circles.
Relying on a simple TSH measurement and treating hypothyroidism based on symptoms represent two extreme points of view. Many people suffer from symptoms of hypothyroidism, but have normal TSH values. The British Medical Journal [BMJ 2000;320:1332-1334 ( 13 May )] published research examining the flaws in diagnosing hypothyroidism. The authors concluded the following:
Thyroid problems are under diagnosed and, according to this research, relying solely on TSH measurements to diagnose thyroid problems may not be an effective strategy for finding thyroid disease.
Possible Signs and Symptoms:
Below are some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. All of the symptoms need not be present for the patient to have hypothyroidism. Also, an underfunctioning thyroid can lead to high cholesterol, heart disease and immune system problems.
· Low body temperature. Patient feels cold even when others do not.
· Fatigue.
· Lack of motivation.
· Loss of interest in sex.
· High cholesterol.
· Sadness or crying for no reason. This can include women who have this symptom or experience mood swings at certain times during their menstrual cycle.
· Inability to lose weight.
· Puffiness under the eyes.
· Ankle swelling.
· Depression.
· Frequent colds.
According to Dr. Broda Barnes, the basal body temperature test can determine a possible problem with the thyroid. Axillary temperature (in the arm pit) is taken the very first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. No movement, the thermometer should even be shaken down the night before. If the thyroid is functioning properly, according to Dr. Barnes, the axillary temperature should be between 97.8°F and 98.2°F.
Of course a low temperature cannot be used as a complete diagnosis for thyroid problems. But if the temperature is low and the symptoms are present, there may indeed be a thyroid problem. You can look at the labs and read them a little more liberally and the ?normal? values might not be so normal. A TSH above two is ?normal?, but in the presence of symptoms and low temperature may need to be addressed. There is a lot that can be done nutritionally that can alleviate the patients? symptoms. One thing nice about nutritional therapy, there is a lot to be gained, and very little is risked.